Best institutions to study Acting
A program that prepares individuals to communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the achievement of naturalistic and believable behavior in imaginary circumstances.
111 U.S. institutions graduated 1,706 Acting students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0506, a specialization of Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05), and leads most directly to the Actors occupation (BLS SOC 27-2011).
About Acting programs
A program that prepares individuals to communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the achievement of naturalistic and believable behavior in imaginary circumstances. Includes instruction in voice and acting speech, stage dialects, movement, improvisation, acting styles, theatre history, script interpretation, and actor coaching.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Acting program, part of the Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft field, prepares individuals to effectively communicate dramatic information and emotions through believable performances. This program is ideal for aspiring actors who wish to develop their skills in various acting techniques and styles, as well as those interested in the broader aspects of theatre arts.
Students in the Acting program will gain core skills in voice and speech, movement, improvisation, and script interpretation. Coursework often includes theatre history and actor coaching, helping students to cultivate a deep understanding of performance and character development.
Credentials awarded
What Acting graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,135 graduates / yr · 89 institutions67%
- Associate's degree266 graduates / yr · 10 institutions16%
- Master's degree133 graduates / yr · 14 institutions7.8%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years98 graduates / yr · 3 institutions5.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year38 graduates / yr · 9 institutions2.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years33 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.9%
- Award of less than 12 weeks2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Acting completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,149 |
| 2013 | 1,399 |
| 2014 | 1,709 |
| 2015 | 1,814 |
| 2016 | 1,803 |
| 2017 | 2,009 |
| 2018 | 1,854 |
| 2019 | 1,930 |
| 2020 | 1,930 |
| 2021 | 1,783 |
| 2022 | 1,676 |
| 2023 | 1,784 |
| 2024 | 1,847 |
| 2025 | 1,706 |
Top 50 institutions for Acting, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Musical and Dramatic Academy New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAssociate's | 151 | 72% | $40,932 | $17,382 |
| 2 | New York Film Academy Burbank, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sMaster'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 144 | 68% | $46,505 | $15,355 |
| 3 | American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 91 | 96% | $54,325 | $12,445 |
| 4 | American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 87 | 78% | $41,802 | $14,335 |
| 5 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 85 | 92% | $26,873 | $21,473 |
| 6 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 72 | 52% | $28,087 | $17,929 |
| 7 | Atlantic Acting School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 51 | — | — | — |
| 8 | California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 48 | 67% | $42,045 | $22,673 |
| 9 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 47 | 75% | — | $19,269 |
| 10 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 46 | 60% | $29,994 | $16,659 |
| 11 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 43 | 68% | $28,141 | $22,021 |
| 12 | Marymount Manhattan College New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 42 | 49% | $34,258 | $19,562 |
| 13 | KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts Dallas, TXPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 28 | 81% | $24,269 | $22,845 |
| 14 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 27 | 89% | $21,956 | $21,508 |
| 15 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 27 | 84% | $28,851 | $20,988 |
| 16 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 24 | 76% | $28,970 | $18,243 |
| 17 | Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OHPublicBachelor's | 24 | 42% | — | $18,666 |
| 18 | Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, OKPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 19 | 65% | $22,589 | $20,696 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 19 | 86% | — | $27,886 |
| 20 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 18 | 58% | — | $21,585 |
| 21 | The Juilliard School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 18 | 93% | $29,763 | — |
| 22 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 80% | $35,682 | $20,267 |
| 23 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor's | 18 | 89% | — | $33,261 |
| 24 | Roosevelt University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 35% | $21,085 | $21,001 |
| 25 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor's | 17 | 75% | — | $25,070 |
| 26 | Point Park University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 59% | $23,704 | $23,147 |
| 27 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 16 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 28 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sAssociate's | 15 | 34% | $40,294 | $20,798 |
| 29 | Belmont University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 71% | $29,246 | — |
| 30 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 14 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 31 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicBachelor's | 14 | 69% | — | $19,871 |
| 32 | Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 67% | $25,104 | $16,055 |
| 33 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicBachelor's | 13 | 66% | — | $33,169 |
| 34 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicBachelor's | 12 | 51% | — | $24,761 |
| 35 | Emerson College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 77% | $40,982 | $19,560 |
| 36 | Mississippi University for Women Columbus, MSPublicMaster's | 12 | 47% | — | — |
| 37 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 61% | $23,844 | — |
| 38 | SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NYPublicBachelor's | 12 | 63% | — | $18,090 |
| 39 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 67% | $27,455 | $17,818 |
| 40 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 39% | — | — |
| 41 | Salem State University Salem, MAPublicBachelor's | 11 | 50% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicBachelor's | 10 | 70% | — | $17,381 |
| 43 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 57% | $24,639 | $18,671 |
| 44 | Nassau Community College Garden City, NYPublicAssociate's | 10 | 23% | — | — |
| 45 | Elon University Elon, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 84% | $33,688 | $24,345 |
| 46 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor's | 10 | 65% | — | $15,602 |
| 47 | Northampton County Area Community College Bethlehem, PAPublicAssociate's | 10 | 24% | — | — |
| 48 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 84% | $26,589 | $16,561 |
| 49 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 68% | — | $22,289 |
| 50 | Webster University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 64% | $25,090 | $13,182 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft field (CIP 50.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 37 states
Where Acting graduates come from. Each state links to all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2011, Actors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Acting program can pursue careers as actors or as postsecondary art, drama, and music teachers. The job outlook indicates little or no change in the field, with approximately 6,300 annual openings available, and many positions requiring some college education without a degree.
Career pathways for CIP 50.0506
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Actorsprimary SOC 27-2011 | — | +0.3% Little or no change | ~6,300 | Some college, no degree |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Acting programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Collaborate with other actors as part of an ensemble.
- Portray and interpret roles, using speech, gestures, and body movements, to entertain, inform, or instruct radio, film, television, or live audiences.
- Work closely with directors, other actors, and playwrights to find the interpretation most suited to the role.
- Perform humorous and serious interpretations of emotions, actions, and situations, using body movements, facial expressions, and gestures.
- Study and rehearse roles from scripts to interpret, learn and memorize lines, stunts, and cues as directed.
- Learn about characters in scripts and their relationships to each other to develop role interpretations.
Tools and technology used
Other Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05).
- Drama and Dramatics/CIP 50.0501
Theatre Arts 9,838 graduates / yr813 institutions - Technical Theatre/CIP 50.0502
Theatre Design and Technology 1,232 graduates / yr158 institutions - Musical TheatreCIP 50.05091,212 graduates / yr123 institutions
- Playwriting and ScreenwritingCIP 50.0504889 graduates / yr52 institutions
- Dramatic/CIP 50.0599
Theatre Arts and Stagecraft 404 graduates / yr45 institutions - Directing and Theatrical ProductionCIP 50.0507197 graduates / yr35 institutions
- Theatre and DanceCIP 50.051297 graduates / yr11 institutions
- Theatre LiteratureCIP 50.0505partial data36 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Comedy Writing and PerformanceCIP 50.0511limited data35 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Costume DesignCIP 50.051032 graduates / yr11 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or Master's degree in Acting.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, critical thinking, active listening, and performance techniques.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as an actor or a postsecondary art, drama, and music teacher.
What is the job outlook for actors?+
The job outlook for actors shows little or no change, with about 6,300 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Acting?+
Acting is CIP 50.0506 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (CIP 50.05). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the achievement of naturalistic and believable behavior in imaginary circumstances. Includes instruction in voice and acting speech, stage dialects, movement, improvisation, acting styles, theatre history, script interpretation, and actor coaching.
How many institutions offer Acting programs?+
111 U.S. institutions reported Acting graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 37 states, awarding 1,706 credentials in the year. That is 10.9% of all Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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