by our College Data Analytics Team
[Acting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/acting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong acting education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for acting students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in acting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Nassau Community College earned the #1 spot for value among acting schools in New York. 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. Early-career acting graduates make about $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny At Fredonia earned it the #2 place for acting. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. 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.
Suny At Purchase College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in acting, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $18,090. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
A rank of #4 makes Nazareth College one of the best values for acting. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,210 in tuition and fees. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Nazareth College generally make around $23,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Long Island University C W Post Campus one of the best values for acting. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $18,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Pace University New York earned the #6 position for value in acting this year. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,510. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $17,946. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.
Ithaca College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,616. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Acting graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $18,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ithaca College admits about 69% of applicants.
Marymount Manhattan College earned the #8 position for value in acting this year. Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $41,870. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Acting graduates of Marymount Manhattan College earn a median of $19,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
The Juilliard School earned the #9 position for value in acting this year. Set in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,950. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $14,160. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The Juilliard School admits about 9% of applicants.
New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts placed #10 among the best values for acting. Located in the city of New York, New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts is a small private for-profit university. 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. Acting graduates of New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts earn a median of $15,997 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
American Musical And Dramatic Academy earned the #11 position for value in acting this year. Located in the city of New York, American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,928. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from American Musical And Dramatic Academy generally make around $16,900. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Syracuse University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $20,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York placed #13 among the best values for acting. Set in the city of New York, American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,650. Students borrow a median of $14,585 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $13,390. Set against $14,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York admits about 92% of applicants.
The New School earned the #14 position for value in acting this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from The New School generally make around $21,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.