2026 Best Acting Master’s Degree Schools

1

Emerson College
Boston, MA

Emerson College tops our 2026 ranking of the best acting schools. Set in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 14 acting degrees were awarded at Emerson College in the most recent year. Students who receive their acting degree from Emerson College earn around $39,309 in the first couple years of their career. Emerson College graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full acting program report for Emerson College

2

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in acting, ranking #2. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. Yale University awarded about 16 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Acting graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Get the full acting details for Yale University

3

Boston University
Boston, MA

Students looking for a strong acting program will find one at Boston University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 19 acting degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Graduates of the acting program make about $21,508 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,958 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in acting from Boston University

4

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Students looking for a strong acting program will find one at Chapman University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Chapman University awarded about 11 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $24,644. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the acting program at Chapman University

5

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in acting, ranking #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. George Washington University awarded about 17 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Acting graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $22,419 early in their careers. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Read more about the acting program at George Washington University

6

Mississippi University For Women
Columbus, MS

Mississippi University For Women ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best acting schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Columbus. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 acting students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi University For Women in the most recent data year. Acting graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of $42,756 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,509 to complete this degree. Read more about the acting program at Mississippi University For Women

7

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago came in at #7 for acting this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. About 13 acting degrees were awarded at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the acting program make about $17,929 in their early career. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. Get the full acting details for Columbia College Chicago

8

California Institute Of The Arts
Valencia, CA

California Institute Of The Arts came in at #8 for acting this year. California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. California Institute Of The Arts graduates 67% of students within six years. About 12 acting degrees were awarded at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent year. Students who receive their acting degree from California Institute Of The Arts earn around $35,156 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full acting program report for California Institute Of The Arts

9

Pace University New York
New York, NY

Pace University New York ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best acting schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 acting students who graduated with this degree at Pace University New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the acting program make about $19,232 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the acting program at Pace University New York

10

New York Film Academy
Burbank, CA

New York Film Academy ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best acting schools. 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 12 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their acting degree from New York Film Academy earn around $14,900 in the first couple years of their career. New York Film Academy graduates carry a median of $17,167 in student loans. See the full acting program report for New York Film Academy