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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong acting education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2 schools to find the best return on investment for acting students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the acting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Rhode Island College the best value for a degree in acting in Rhode Island. 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. Acting graduates carry a median of $24,523 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $24,526. That is a strong return on a $24,523 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 2 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.