2026 Best Value Acting Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 best value for acting in the United States. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $14,650 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $14,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

2

Mississippi University For Women
Columbus, MS

Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at Mississippi University For Women, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,492 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,509 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $42,756. That is a strong return on a $24,509 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

Southern Oregon University
Ashland, OR

Southern Oregon University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,762, with out-of-state students paying around $31,887. Acting graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Southern Oregon University generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at University Of Northern Colorado, which ranked #4. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Acting graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $59,486. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

5

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #5. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $43,430. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

6

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University placed #6 among the best values for acting. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $43,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.

7

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for acting. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Acting graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $22,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

8

Stephens College
Columbia, MO

Stephens College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,300. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $27,000. Acting graduates of Stephens College earn a median of $16,476 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

9

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #9 for value in acting this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $26,958. Acting graduates of Boston University earn a median of $21,508 early in their careers. Set against $26,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

10

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University placed #10 among the best values for acting. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $17,000. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $25,804. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

11

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University earned the #11 position for value in acting this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Acting graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

12

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago came in at #12 for value in acting this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $26,977. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $17,929. That is a strong return on a $26,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

13

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #13 position for value in acting this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $26,348. Early-career acting graduates make about $25,163. Set against $26,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

14

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California landed the #14 spot for acting value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $21,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

15

Pace University New York
New York, NY

Pace University New York earned the #15 position for value in acting this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $19,232 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

16

Catholic University Of America
Washington, DC

Catholic University Of America placed #16 among the best values for acting. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $25,771. Early-career acting graduates make about $65,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

17

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University placed #17 among the best values for acting. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $22,910. Early-career acting graduates make about $22,419. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.

18

Academy Of Art University
San Francisco, CA

Academy Of Art University earned the #18 position for value in acting this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,736. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Academy Of Art University generally make around $36,635. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.

19

New York Film Academy
Burbank, CA

New York Film Academy landed the #19 spot for acting value this year. Located in the city of Burbank, New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,122. Acting graduates carry a median of $17,167 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $14,900. That is a strong return on a $17,167 median debt.

20

Emerson College
Boston, MA

Emerson College placed #20 among the best values for acting. Located in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,056. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $25,000. Early-career acting graduates make about $39,309. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.

21

California Institute Of The Arts
Valencia, CA

California Institute Of The Arts earned the #21 position for value in acting this year. Set in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,996. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Acting graduates of California Institute Of The Arts earn a median of $35,156 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 32% of applicants are accepted.

22

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University came in at #22 for value in acting this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,984. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $24,644 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

23

The New School
New York, NY

The New School landed the #23 spot for acting value this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $25,556. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.