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2023 Best Value Colleges for Acting (With Aid)

74 Ranked Colleges
1,793 Degrees Awarded
$17,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Acting is the 323rd most popular major in the country with 1,793 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 74 colleges that offered a degree in acting. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality acting programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the acting program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Acting (With Aid)

1

Out of the 74 schools in the Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 31 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle also made our “Best Acting Schools” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $12,017 for Acting students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UW Seattle Acting Report

2
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 7 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Acting Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $13,377 for acting students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Acting at Purdue University - Main Campus

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at Austin. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid. The University of Texas at Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 10 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

UT Austin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Acting Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at Austin is $18,350 for acting students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Acting at The University of Texas at Austin

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 8 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD also made our “Best Acting Schools” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $15,240 for Acting students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Acting at University of California - San Diego

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nevada - Las Vegas. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid. UNLV is a large public school situated in Las Vegas, Nevada. It awarded 16 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNLV is $10,993 for Acting students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Acting at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

6

Brigham Young University - Provo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. BYU is a large school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 6 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for BYU is $13,474 for acting students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Acting at BYU

7

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $13,214 for Acting students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Acting at UIC

8
SUNY Fredonia crest
SUNY Fredonia
Fredonia, New York

SUNY Fredonia came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. SUNY Fredonia is a small public school situated in Fredonia, New York. It awarded 12 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SUNY Fredonia is $14,378 for acting students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SUNY Fredonia Acting Report

9
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, Maryland

Towson University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Towson is a large public school situated in Towson, Maryland. It awarded 11 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Towson, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Acting Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Towson is $18,105 for Acting students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Acting at Towson

10

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s acting students in 2020-2021.

UC also made our “Best Acting Schools” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $22,415 for acting students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read more about Acting at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

11
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Oakland University is a fairly large school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 6 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $13,449 for acting students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakland University Acting Report

12
Purchase College crest
Purchase College
Purchase, New York

With a ranking of #12, Purchase College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Purchase, New York, and it awarded 17 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

Purchase College also took the #17 spot in our “Best Acting Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purchase College is $17,701 for acting students with aid.

Read full report on Acting at Purchase College

13
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s acting degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Iowa is $16,438 for acting students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Northern Iowa Acting Report

14
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, New York

Nassau Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Nassau Community College is located in Garden City, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s acting degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Nassau Community College is $4,932 for Acting students with aid.

Read full report on Acting at Nassau Community College

15
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

With a ranking of #15, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 14 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for WMU is $20,371 for Acting students with aid.

Read full report on Acting at WMU

16
UCONN crest
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut

University of Connecticut did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. University of Connecticut is a large public school situated in Storrs, Connecticut. It awarded 9 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCONN, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Acting Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Connecticut is $22,974 for Acting students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Acting at University of Connecticut

17
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,366 for acting students with aid per year to attend Lindenwood University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Acting at Lindenwood University

18
UE crest
University of Evansville
Evansville, Indiana

University of Evansville landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Evansville, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s acting degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

UE also took the #24 spot in our “Best Acting Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UE is $22,912 for Acting students with aid.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Evansville Acting Report

19

University of Maryland - Baltimore County came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Maryland - Baltimore County is a fairly large public school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 13 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,460 for Acting students with aid per year to attend UMBC.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMBC Acting Report

20

Northampton County Area Community College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northampton Community College is a medium-sized school located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania that handed out 9 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northampton Community College is $9,162 for Acting students with aid.

Full Northampton Community College Acting Report

21
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Webster, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Acting Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Webster University is $23,248 for Acting students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Acting at Webster

22
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #22, Temple University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s acting degrees to 64 students in 2020-2021.

Temple not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Acting Schools” list. It costs about $23,888 for acting students with aid per year to attend Temple University.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Acting at Temple

23
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Boston University is a large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 23 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

Boston U also made our “Best Acting Schools” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Boston U is $30,395 for Acting students with aid.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Acting at Boston U

24
Harding crest
Harding University
Searcy, Arkansas

Harding University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Searcy, Arkansas, and it awarded 3 ’s acting degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,456 for acting students with aid per year to attend Harding University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Harding University Acting Report

25

Wright State University - Main Campus landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Acting Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s acting degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wright State University - Main Campus is $15,962 for Acting students with aid.

Read more about Acting at Wright State University - Main Campus

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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