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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for acting students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in acting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Paradise Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among acting schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Acting graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at Oklahoma State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Acting graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $24,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #3. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $38,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Oklahoma City University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,754. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of $20,696 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Saint Edwards University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,384. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Saint Edwards University generally make around $15,925. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts came in at #6 for value in acting this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,521. Acting graduates carry a median of $17,316 in student loans. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts generally make around $22,845. That is a strong return on a $17,316 median debt. Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts admits about 68% of applicants.
Texas Christian University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value acting schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $21,221. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University came in at #8 for value in acting this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Acting graduates carry a median of $24,130 in student loans. Early-career acting graduates make about $20,267. That is a strong return on a $24,130 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.