Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at Wagner College

Wagner's theatre program produces graduates earning $17,478 in their first year—below both the national median ($20,698) and the state median ($18,740). While that 40th percentile ranking among New York programs might sound middle-of-the-pack, it means this program underperforms more than half its in-state competitors, including SUNY and CUNY options that offer lower tuition. The $27,000 median debt exceeds what most theatre programs saddle students with, and that 1.54 debt-to-earnings ratio translates to owing about 18 months' worth of your first year's salary.

The 38% earnings growth to $24,139 by year four shows some upward trajectory, but you're still looking at roughly $2,000 per month before taxes four years into your career. Compare that to University at Buffalo's theatre graduates earning $25,810, or better yet, CUNY Hunter's $25,059—programs with similar New York labor market access but likely lower costs for in-state students.

For families paying Wagner's private school tuition to prepare for notoriously low-paying theatre work, the math is challenging. If your child is committed to performance or technical theatre, the SUNY and CUNY alternatives provide similar market outcomes with substantially less financial risk. Wagner's 83% admission rate suggests it's not offering access to opportunities unavailable elsewhere.