by our College Data Analytics Team
[Acting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/acting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for acting students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in acting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Nassau Community College earned the #1 spot for value among acting schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at Kean University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $27,000. Acting graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in acting, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $17,500. Acting graduates of Towson University earn a median of $19,871 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Suny At Fredonia one of the best values for acting. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Acting graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $20,453 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Maryland Baltimore County one of the best values for acting. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $18,812 in student loans. Acting graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $17,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,812 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
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Suny At Purchase College placed #6 among the best values for acting. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $18,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #7 position for value in acting this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $26,330. Early-career acting graduates make about $33,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,432. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $26,000. Early-career acting graduates make about $18,671. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Point Park University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,570. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of Point Park University earn a median of $25,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Rider University came in at #10 for value in acting this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,241 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $48,601. Set against $26,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Temple University landed the #11 spot for acting value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $19,269. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Nazareth College landed the #13 spot for acting value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,210. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Nazareth College generally make around $23,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Pace University New York came in at #14 for value in acting this year. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $53,510. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $17,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Catholic University Of America ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. 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. Acting graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $65,120. Set against $25,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Ithaca College placed #16 among the best values for acting. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $52,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $18,243. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Marymount Manhattan College came in at #17 for value in acting this year. Located in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,870. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $27,000. Acting graduates of Marymount Manhattan College earn a median of $19,562 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marymount Manhattan College admits about 83% of applicants.
George Washington University landed the #18 spot for acting value this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Acting graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Acting graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $22,419 early in their careers. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
The Juilliard School landed the #19 spot for acting value this year. Located in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,950. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $26,000. Acting graduates of The Juilliard School earn a median of $14,160 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts came in at #20 for value in acting this year. Set in the city of New York, New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $12,000. Early-career acting graduates make about $15,997. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
American Musical And Dramatic Academy earned the #21 position for value in acting this year. Set in the city of New York, American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,928. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $17,000. Acting graduates of American Musical And Dramatic Academy earn a median of $16,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Syracuse University earned the #22 position for value in acting this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $27,000. Early-career acting graduates make about $20,988. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Set in the city of New York, American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Acting graduates carry a median of $14,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York generally make around $13,390. That is a strong return on a $14,585 median debt. American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York admits about 92% of applicants.
The New School ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from The New School generally make around $21,335. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.