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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value acting schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the acting degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in acting, no school beat Capital Community College this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Acting graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at Rhode Island College, which ranked #2. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $24,523. Acting graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $24,526 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,523 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Salem State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $27,176. Early-career acting graduates make about $49,656. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at University Of Connecticut, which ranked #4. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Students borrow a median of $25,414 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $18,002. Set against $25,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at Boston University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $21,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
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Yale University came in at #6 for value in acting this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Bennington College placed #7 among the best values for acting. Located in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,262 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $26,445. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Bennington College generally make around $29,031. That is a strong return on a $26,445 median debt. Bennington College admits about 44% of applicants.
Emerson College came in at #8 for value in acting this year. Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $57,056. Acting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Emerson College generally make around $29,435. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.