2026 Best Acting Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best acting schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 10 acting degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $25,070. Students borrow a median of $25,980 to complete this degree. Read more about the acting program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

2

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in acting, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. Depaul University awarded about 39 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their acting degree from Depaul University earn around $23,592 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,348 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in acting from Depaul University

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong acting program will find one at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 11 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their acting degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $14,938 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,238 to complete this degree. Read more about the acting program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

4

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Students looking for a strong acting program will find one at Ohio University Main Campus, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 25 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their acting degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $19,286 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree. Get the full acting details for Ohio University Main Campus

5

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best acting schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Michigan University awarded about 15 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their acting degree from Western Michigan University earn around $21,585 in the first couple years of their career. Western Michigan University graduates carry a median of $26,950 in student loans. See the full acting program report for Western Michigan University

6

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago came in at #6 for acting this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 71 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their acting degree from Columbia College Chicago earn around $17,929 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,977 to complete this degree. See the full acting program report for Columbia College Chicago

7

University Of Evansville
Evansville, IN

University Of Evansville earned the #7 position for acting this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Evansville graduates 65% of students within six years. About 10 acting degrees were awarded at University Of Evansville in the most recent year. Graduates of the acting program make about $23,407 in their early career. University Of Evansville graduates carry a median of $23,727 in student loans. Get the full acting details for University Of Evansville

8

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best acting schools. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 14 acting students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Illinois Wesleyan University generally make around $19,490. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full acting program report for Illinois Wesleyan University

9

Baldwin Wallace College
Berea, OH

Baldwin Wallace College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best acting schools. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 23 acting degrees were awarded at Baldwin Wallace College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Baldwin Wallace College generally make around $16,055. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full acting program report for Baldwin Wallace College

10

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best acting schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 14 acting degrees were awarded at Roosevelt University in the most recent year. Acting graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $21,001 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the acting program at Roosevelt University

11

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for acting this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Wright State University Main Campus graduates 42% of students within six years. About 25 acting degrees were awarded at Wright State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the acting program make about $18,666 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in acting from Wright State University Main Campus