by our College Data Analytics TeamActing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their acting programs.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best acting schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall acting education in the Middle Atlantic Region.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best acting schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 20 acting degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. More information about a degree in acting from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Syracuse University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best acting schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. About 84% of students finish within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 24 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their acting degree from Syracuse University earn around $20,988 in the first couple years of their career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full acting program report for Syracuse University
Students looking for a strong acting program will find one at Temple University, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 51 acting degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Students who receive their acting degree from Temple University earn around $19,269 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full acting program report for Temple University
A rank of #4 makes Suny At Purchase College one of the top schools for acting. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Suny At Purchase College graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 acting students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $18,090. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the acting program at Suny At Purchase College
George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in acting, ranking #5. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 acting students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $22,419. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. Get the full acting details for George Washington University
American Musical And Dramatic Academy came in at #6 for acting this year. American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. American Musical And Dramatic Academy awarded about 153 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Acting graduates of American Musical And Dramatic Academy earn a median of $16,900 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. See the full acting program report for American Musical And Dramatic Academy
Point Park University landed the #7 spot for acting this year. Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Point Park University graduates 58% of students within six years. Point Park University awarded about 17 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $25,301. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the acting program at Point Park University
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best acting schools. Set in the city of New York, American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 99 acting degrees were awarded at American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the acting program make about $13,390 in their early career. American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York graduates carry a median of $14,585 in student loans. Read more about the acting program at American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York
The Juilliard School came in at #9 for acting this year. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 18 acting students who graduated with this degree at The Juilliard School in the most recent data year. Graduates of the acting program make about $14,160 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full acting program report for The Juilliard School
Pace University New York earned the #10 position for acting this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 acting students who graduated with this degree at Pace University New York in the most recent data year. Acting graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $17,946 early in their careers. Pace University New York graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full acting program report for Pace University New York
Marymount Manhattan College came in at #11 for acting this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Marymount Manhattan College graduates 49% of students within six years. About 38 acting degrees were awarded at Marymount Manhattan College in the most recent year. Acting graduates of Marymount Manhattan College earn a median of $19,562 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in acting from Marymount Manhattan College
New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts earned the #12 position for acting this year. New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts is a small private for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 93 acting degrees were awarded at New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts in the most recent year. Students who receive their acting degree from New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts earn around $15,997 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the acting program at New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 33 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.