by our College Data Analytics Team
[Acting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/acting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 141 schools to find the best return on investment for acting students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the acting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Nassau Community College, our #1 best value for acting in the United States. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at Capital Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $12,059. Acting graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Paradise Valley Community College earned it the #4 place for acting. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $14,204. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. Set against $14,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Located in the city of Dallas, Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,521. Students borrow a median of $17,316 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts generally make around $22,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
American Musical And Dramatic Academy came in at #6 for value in acting this year. American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $46,928 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from American Musical And Dramatic Academy generally make around $15,909. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles came in at #7 for value in acting this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,650. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles generally make around $12,445. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles admits about 83% of applicants.
New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts landed the #8 spot for acting value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts generally make around $15,997. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
New York Film Academy landed the #9 spot for acting value this year. New York Film Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. Students from in state pay about $37,122 in tuition and fees. Acting graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Acting graduates of New York Film Academy earn a median of $6,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York landed the #10 spot for acting value this year. American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Acting graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Acting graduates of American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York earn a median of $12,445 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Acting rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 141 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.