2027 Best Value Acting Schools in the Southwest Region
[Acting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/acting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong acting education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value acting schools.
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2027 Best Value Acting Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in acting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Acting Schools
Our analysis ranked Oklahoma State University Main Campus the best value for a degree in acting in the Southwest Region. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $22,337. 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%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $26,000. Early-career acting graduates make about $38,346. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in acting will find it at Oklahoma City University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,754. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the acting program here. Early-career acting graduates make about $20,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Edwards University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value acting schools. Located in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,384. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of Saint Edwards University earn a median of $15,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts is a great value for students pursuing a degree in acting, landing the #5 spot 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. Students borrow a median of $17,316 to complete the acting program here. Acting graduates of Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts earn a median of $22,845 early in their careers. Set against $17,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts admits about 68% of applicants.
Texas Christian University placed #6 among the best values for acting. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $27,000. Early-career acting graduates make about $21,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University earned the #7 position 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. Typical student debt for acting graduates is $24,130. Early-career acting graduates make about $20,267. That is a strong return on a $24,130 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
