2027 Best Value Acting Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Acting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/acting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong acting education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 80 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value acting schools.
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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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $19,284. Acting graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $27,335 early in their careers. Set against $19,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned it the #2 place for acting. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $50,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Rhode Island College one of the best values for acting. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Students borrow a median of $24,523 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $24,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for acting. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $21,238 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $14,938. Set against $21,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #5. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,650 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $60,797. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,638 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $22,778. Set against $15,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Oakland University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,678 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $15,579. That is a strong return on a $26,678 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Utah came in at #8 for value in acting this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $20,316 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $20,701. That is a strong return on a $20,316 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University landed the #9 spot for acting value this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, 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. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #11 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. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $24,875. Acting graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $22,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,875 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Acting graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $24,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #13 spot for acting value this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Acting graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $20,453 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #14 for value in acting this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $22,904. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $21,047. That is a strong return on a $22,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Old Dominion University placed #15 among the best values for acting. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Acting graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Acting graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Students borrow a median of $18,812 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $17,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Salem State University placed #17 among the best values for acting. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. Set against $27,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #18 for value in acting this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, 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. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Towson University placed #19 among the best values for acting. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $17,500. Early-career acting graduates make about $19,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Keene State College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,185 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $41,049. Set against $26,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $18,666. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #22 position for value in acting this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Acting graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Acting graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $24,761 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Oregon University landed the #23 spot for acting value this year. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,762, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $21,750. Acting graduates of Southern Oregon University earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Southern Oregon University admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #24 position for value in acting this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $33,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Central Washington University landed the #25 spot for acting value this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $24,752. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $24,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Acting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in acting:
Other Acting Degree Levels
Explore the best-value acting schools at other degree levels:
View All Acting 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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 80 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.
