2027 Best Value Acting Schools in the New England Region
[Acting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/acting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for acting students.
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2027 Best Value Acting Schools in the New England Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the acting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Acting Schools
Our analysis ranked Rhode Island College the best value for a degree in acting in the New England Region. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Acting graduates carry a median of $24,523 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $24,526. That is a strong return on a $24,523 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Capital Community College earned it the #2 place for acting. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at Salem State University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $27,176. Early-career acting graduates make about $49,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Keene State College earned it the #4 place for acting. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,185 in student loans. Acting graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $41,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Yale University one of the best values for acting. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Acting graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Acting graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Boston University placed #6 among the best values for acting. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $26,958. Early-career acting graduates make about $21,508. That is a strong return on a $26,958 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Connecticut landed the #7 spot for acting value this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,414 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $18,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University placed #8 among the best values for acting. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Acting graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Dean College earned the #9 position for value in acting this year. Dean College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Franklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,526. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Dean College generally make around $29,639. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Bennington College placed #10 among the best values for acting. Located in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Acting graduates carry a median of $26,445 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $29,031. Set against $26,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Emerson College landed the #11 spot for acting value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,056. Acting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Acting graduates of Emerson College earn a median of $29,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Emerson College admits about 51% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
