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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Acting Schools in New York

10 Colleges in the United States
482 Acting Degrees Awarded
$17,129 Avg Early-Career Salary

Acting is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for acting students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Acting in New York

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the acting degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Acting

1
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in acting. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 acting students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University 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. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full acting program report for Syracuse University

2

A rank of #2 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. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Suny At Purchase College awarded about 15 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the acting program make about $18,090 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in acting from Suny At Purchase College

3

A rank of #3 makes American Musical And Dramatic Academy one of the top schools for acting. American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. American Musical And Dramatic Academy graduates 52% of students within six years. About 153 acting degrees were awarded at American Musical And Dramatic Academy in the most recent year. Students who receive their acting degree from American Musical And Dramatic Academy earn around $16,900 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000. See the full acting program report for American Musical And Dramatic Academy

4

Students looking for a strong acting program will find one at American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York is a small private not-for-profit university. American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York awarded about 99 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the acting program make about $13,390 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,585. Get the full acting details for American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York

5
The Juilliard School crest
The Juilliard School
New York, NY

The Juilliard School is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in acting, landing the #5 spot this year. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The Juilliard School graduates 91% of students within six years. About 18 acting degrees were awarded at The Juilliard School in the most recent 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

6

Pace University New York landed the #6 spot for acting this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Pace University New York awarded about 42 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their acting degree from Pace University New York earn around $17,946 in the first couple years of their career. 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

7

Marymount Manhattan College landed the #7 spot for acting this year. Set in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 acting students who graduated with this degree at Marymount Manhattan College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their acting degree from Marymount Manhattan College earn around $19,562 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in acting from Marymount Manhattan College

8

New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts earned the #8 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. There were roughly 93 acting students who graduated with this degree at New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts in the most recent data 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. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the acting program at New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 15 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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