by our College Data Analytics TeamActing was the 323rd most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,793 degrees in this year alone. This 151 less than the prior year, a decrease of 8.4%.
Our 2023 Best Acting Schools ranking analyzes 74 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for acting students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of acting programs later in this article.
A major in acting prepares you for careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is crucial. Talking to others to convey information effectively and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most acting degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific acting careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of acting degrees. Acting programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest acting degree you can get. Different acting degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to acting, with approximately 20.7% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for acting workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 45.4% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 20.7% |
| High School Diploma | 16.2% |
| First Professional Degree | 13.9% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 3.8% |
The chart below shows what degree level those who work in acting have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the acting career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your acting degree? Acting careers are expected to grow 11.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to acting.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Actors | 71,200 | 11.6% |
As you might expect, salaries for acting graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for acting graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers acting grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|
With over 163 different acting degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased acting school rankings to help you with this.
One of 9 majors within the Drama & Theater Arts area of study, Acting has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theater Arts | 11,385 |
| Theater Design & Technology | 1,164 |
| Musical Theater | 995 |
| Other Dramatic/Theatre Arts & Stagecraft | 862 |
| Playwriting & Screenwriting | 683 |
Image Credit: By Donald Judge under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
