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.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value acting schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in acting, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in acting, no school beat Nassau Community College this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Acting graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Suny At Fredonia one of the best values for acting. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $20,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny At Purchase College earned it the #3 place for acting. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $18,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Nazareth College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in acting, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,210 in tuition and fees. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $44,626. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Nazareth College admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at Pace University New York, which ranked #5. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,510. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $17,946. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.
Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #6 position for value in acting this year. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. In-state tuition and fees average $42,432. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $18,671. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Long Island University C W Post Campus admits about 86% of applicants.
Ithaca College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. In-state tuition and fees average $52,616. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $18,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ithaca College admits about 69% of applicants.
Marymount Manhattan College placed #8 among the best values for acting. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Marymount Manhattan College generally make around $19,562. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Acting graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $20,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
American Musical And Dramatic Academy landed the #10 spot for acting value this year. Set in the city of New York, American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,928. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $17,000. 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. American Musical And Dramatic Academy admits about 24% of applicants.
The Juilliard School earned the #11 position for value in acting this year. Located in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,950. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from The Juilliard School generally make around $14,160. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York placed #12 among the best values for acting. Located in the city of New York, American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,650. Acting graduates carry a median of $14,585 in student loans. Acting graduates of American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York earn a median of $13,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,585 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The New School earned the #13 position for value in acting this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of The New School earn a median of $38,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.