2027 Best Value Acting Schools
[Acting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/acting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 93 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value acting schools.
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Finding the Best Value Acting School for You
The acting program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Acting Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Acting Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Acting Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in acting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Acting Schools
Southern Utah University tops our 2027 list of the best value acting schools in the United States. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $19,284 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $27,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #2 makes Nassau Community College one of the best values for acting. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at University Of Nevada Las Vegas, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $50,039. Set against $19,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at Rhode Island College, which ranked #4. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $24,523. Acting graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $24,526 early in their careers. Set against $24,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $21,238. Acting graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $14,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #6 for value in acting this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $15,638 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $26,555. That is a strong return on a $15,638 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University earned the #7 position for value in acting this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,678 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $15,579 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego landed the #8 spot for acting value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Acting graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #9 among the best values for acting. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Acting graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi University For Women landed the #10 spot for acting value this year. Set in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $24,509. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Mississippi University For Women generally make around $42,756. Set against $24,509 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
Capital Community College earned the #11 position for value in acting this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Acting graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Acting graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Utah placed #12 among the best values for acting. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,316 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $20,701. That is a strong return on a $20,316 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Northampton County Area Community College landed the #13 spot for acting value this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Acting graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kean University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Acting graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Western Michigan University came in at #15 for value in acting this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $26,950 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $21,585. That is a strong return on a $26,950 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #16 spot for acting value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Acting graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $22,289. That is a strong return on a $24,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for acting value this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $24,871 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #18 spot for acting value this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $27,000. Early-career acting graduates make about $20,453. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #19 among the best values for acting. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $22,904. Early-career acting graduates make about $21,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Old Dominion University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $25,500. Acting graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #21 among the best values for acting. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Acting graduates carry a median of $18,812 in student loans. Acting graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $17,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,812 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University earned the #22 position for value in acting this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Acting graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $49,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #23 among the best values for acting. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $21,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Towson University placed #24 among the best values for acting. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Acting graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $19,871. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Bossier Parish Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. Located in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,268. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $20,593. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Bossier Parish Community College generally make around $43,661. Set against $20,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Acting Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s acting value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Acting. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 93 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 93 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
