2027 Best Value Acting Schools in Virginia
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for acting students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Acting Schools in Virginia
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
Old Dominion University earned the #1 spot for value among acting schools in Virginia. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $57,131. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Regent University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in acting, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Acting graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Acting graduates of Regent University earn a median of $43,319 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Liberty University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Shenandoah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in acting, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,950. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $17,818. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
