2026 Best Acting Schools in the Far Western Region

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in acting. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 16 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the acting program make about $26,555 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,638 to complete this degree. Read more about the acting program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best acting schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 acting students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the acting program make about $24,644 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. See the full acting program report for Chapman University

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for acting. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 86 acting students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their acting degree from University Of Southern California earn around $21,619 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the acting program at University Of Southern California

4

California Institute Of The Arts
Valencia, CA

California Institute Of The Arts is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in acting, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. California Institute Of The Arts graduates 67% of students within six years. About 41 acting degrees were awarded at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent year. Graduates of the acting program make about $28,915 in their early career. California Institute Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full acting details for California Institute Of The Arts

5

American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #5 makes American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles one of the top schools for acting. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. There were roughly 85 acting students who graduated with this degree at American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their acting degree from American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles earn around $13,390 in the first couple years of their career. American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $14,585 in student loans. See the full acting program report for American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles

6

New York Film Academy
Burbank, CA

New York Film Academy came in at #6 for acting this year. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. New York Film Academy awarded about 208 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the acting program make about $13,813 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,167 to complete this degree. Read more about the acting program at New York Film Academy

7

Academy Of Art University
San Francisco, CA

Academy Of Art University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best acting schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 acting degrees were awarded at Academy Of Art University in the most recent year. Acting graduates of Academy Of Art University earn a median of $28,717 early in their careers. Academy Of Art University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full acting program report for Academy Of Art University

8

Theatre Of Arts
Hollywood, CA

Theatre Of Arts came in at #8 for acting this year. Set in the city of Hollywood, Theatre Of Arts is a small private for-profit institution. Theatre Of Arts awarded about 10 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Theatre Of Arts generally make around $18,746. Typical student debt for the program is $19,385. Read more about the acting program at Theatre Of Arts