2027 Best Value Acting Schools in Pennsylvania
[Acting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/acting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value acting schools.
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2027 Best Value Acting Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in acting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Acting Schools
Our analysis ranked Northampton County Area Community College the best value for a degree in acting in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $18,900. Acting graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for acting. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $33,169. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Point Park University earned it the #3 place for acting. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,570 in tuition and fees. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $25,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in acting, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $19,269. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arcadia University earned it the #5 place for acting. Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,610. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $27,000. Early-career acting graduates make about $46,764. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in acting this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $27,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
