Best Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Schools in New York

New York has 33 colleges offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,949 recent graduates. Graduates earn $22,807 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $22,828.

School choice matters significantly: CUNY New York City College of Technology graduates earn $38,829 while University at Buffalo graduates earn $16,015 — a $22,814 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

33
Schools in NY
$22,807
NY Avg. Earnings
$22,828
National Avg.
296
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in New York

Public Schools (17)
$23,381
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (15)
$22,599
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in New York produce comparable or higher early earnings for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Schools in New York, Ranked by Earnings

#1
C

CUNY New York City College of Technology

Brooklyn, NY · Public

$38,829
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,591
Graduates: 37
Acceptance: 80.7%
#2
S

SUNY Oneonta

Oneonta, NY · Public

$28,598
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 70.2%
#3
V

Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private

$28,236
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $20,008
Graduates: 26
Acceptance: 17.7%
#4
I

Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY · Private

$28,133
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $22,736
Graduates: 88
Acceptance: 69.9%
#5
C

College of Staten Island CUNY

Staten Island, NY · Public

$28,055
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#6
S

SUNY at Purchase College

Purchase, NY · Public

$26,482
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $25,288
Graduates: 155
Acceptance: 72.8%
#7
S

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY · Public

$26,353
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 49.0%
#8
S

SUNY at Fredonia

Fredonia, NY · Public

$26,353
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $24,263
Graduates: 41
Acceptance: 79.2%
#9
F

Fordham University

Bronx, NY · Private

$25,967
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $24,815
Graduates: 35
Acceptance: 56.3%
#10
S

SUNY College at Potsdam

Potsdam, NY · Public

$25,967
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $19,439
Graduates: 24
Acceptance: 85.5%
#11
T

The New School

New York, NY · Private

$24,421
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $19,990
Graduates: 83
Acceptance: 62.5%
#12
N

New York University

New York, NY · Private

$24,402
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $25,246
Graduates: 429
Acceptance: 9.4%
#13
M

Marymount Manhattan College

New York, NY · Private

$23,842
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $20,670
Graduates: 173
Acceptance: 78.9%
#14
C

CUNY Queens College

Queens, NY · Public

$23,649
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $15,967
Graduates: 16
Acceptance: 68.5%
#15
W

Wagner College

Staten Island, NY · Private

$23,538
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $18,457
Graduates: 43
Acceptance: 83.5%
#16
S

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY · Private

$23,067
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $21,187
Graduates: 85
Acceptance: 41.7%
#17
P

Pace University

New York, NY · Private

$21,850
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $22,575
Graduates: 95
Acceptance: 77.1%
#18
S

State University of New York at Oswego

Oswego, NY · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $18,929
Graduates: 20
Acceptance: 80.4%
#19
S

SUNY Buffalo State University

Buffalo, NY · Public

$21,234
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 75.9%
#20
N

Nazareth University

Rochester, NY · Private

$21,052
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 79.5%
#21
B

Binghamton University

Vestal, NY · Public

$21,052
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 37.7%
#22
S

SUNY Brockport

Brockport, NY · Public

$20,824
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 71.3%
#23
H

Hofstra University

Hempstead, NY · Private

$20,748
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $21,646
Graduates: 40
Acceptance: 70.6%
#24
S

Skidmore College

Saratoga Springs, NY · Private

$20,140
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 22.9%
#25
A

Adelphi University

Garden City, NY · Private

$19,866
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $23,013
Graduates: 37
Acceptance: 77.5%
#26
C

CUNY Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, NY · Public

$19,455
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $27,524
Graduates: 35
Acceptance: 53.7%
#27
S

State University of New York at New Paltz

New Paltz, NY · Public

$18,771
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $20,295
Graduates: 30
Acceptance: 58.7%
#28
C

CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public

$18,315
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $22,379
Graduates: 51
Acceptance: 58.1%
#29
L

Long Island University

Brookville, NY · Private

$17,282
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 89.8%
#30
A

American Musical and Dramatic Academy

New York, NY · Private

$16,437
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $19,784
Graduates: 350
Acceptance: 24.7%
#31
F

Five Towns College

Dix Hills, NY · For-Profit

$16,169
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $13,422
Graduates: 16
Acceptance: 72.0%
#32
C

CUNY Hunter College

New York, NY · Public

$16,015
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $26,993
Graduates: 19
Acceptance: 54.0%
#33
U

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY · Public

$16,015
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $25,698
Graduates: 21
Acceptance: 69.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in New York?
CUNY New York City College of Technology ranks #1 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in New York with median graduate earnings of $38,829 within two years of graduation. There are 33 schools offering Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in the state.
How much do Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates earn in New York?
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates in New York earn an average of $22,807 within two years of graduation. This is near the national average of $22,828 for this major.
What is the hardest Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft school to get into in New York?
New York University is the most selective Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft program in New York with an acceptance rate of 9.4%. The average acceptance rate across Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs in the state is 62.5%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft in New York?
In New York, private Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs produce average earnings of $22,599 vs $23,381 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 17 public and 15 private options in the state.

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.