10 Best Acting Schools (U.S.)
So you fell in love with acting while in your high school’s drama program. Or you’ve been acting with your community theater since you were a toddler. Whatever your story may be, your passion has led you to the decision to get a college degree. Excellent! Whether you want to act onstage or in film, there’s a degree out there for you at one of the best acting schools.
But where to begin?
Four Quick Questions To Ask Yourself Before Choosing One Of The Best Acting Schools
1. Which Degree Is The Right One?
For undergraduates, there are typically two types of degree to pursue in the best acting schools reviewed below: the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and the Bachelor of Arts (BA). A BFA will be more focused to your chosen profession, while a BA is a more generalized study of the arts. Which program a student chooses is simply a matter of choice and both tracks offer a rich experience. If the goal is acting as a profession, a BFA may be the best choice since it offers a targeted approach to the craft. Should you want to teach, a BA may be better suited to your goals.
2. Is Financial Aid Available?
The Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) is available at nearly all colleges and provides your institution an idea of your eligibility for assistance. Always check with your chosen college’s financial aid office to determine what they require. They may also have you fill out a CSS Profile, so be sure to ask. And never pass the opportunity to apply for scholarships in your community.
3. Which School Is Best?
The best school is the one that’s right for you! Begin your research on the acting schools and colleges that appeal to you. Dig deeper than the surface: attend college fairs, call the admissions office, scour the website, talk to alumni if possible. Only you will be able to determine which school can best meet your needs and desires. If name recognition is important to you, be prepared to spend a little extra.
4. Will There Be An Audition Process?
There well may be an audition at any of the best acting schools. Be sure to carefully research the requirements for admission. If there is an audition process, be certain to follow all instructions carefully and be mindful of guidelines for monologues and songs. Expect interruptions, changes in direction from the person(s) conducting the audition, questions on choices made, and improvisational activities. Be confident in your choices and be prepared to explain choices made in the performance of monologues and songs.
How We Reviewed
The best acting schools on this list were reviewed based on Program Features, Pros & Cons, and Price. Thorough research was done on each to bring you an unbiased guide.
Overall Price Range
A good education doesn’t come cheaply, and that applies to acting programs, too. The best acting schools range between $25,000 and $72,000 per year to attend, including tuition, fees, room & board, and other living expenses. These calculations will vary based on the school itself, the city in which it is located, and whether the student is an in-state (resident) or out-of-state (non-resident) attendee. Remember, do your research!
The Schools We Reviewed
- Yale
- Bennington College
- Julliard
- Boston University
- NYU Tisch School of the Arts
- UC San Diego
- Brown University
- University of North Carolina
- California Institute of the Arts
- Carnegie Mellon University
Yale
Program Features
Yale School of Drama has produced some of the world’s outstanding talents, including
Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Meryl Streep, Angela Bassett, Lisa Kudrow, and Henry Winkler. They offer an in-depth program that covers script analysis, movement, speech & dialects, singing, and improvisation. In addition to their outstanding education, they offer 40+ production opportunities every year.
Pros
- Outstanding academic model
- Production Opportunities
- Name Recognition
Cons
- Must be dedicated to intensive three-year program
- Intense competition for financial aid
- Lengthy application process
Price
A student can expect to pay around $50,000 per year including tuition, housing, books/supplies, and other living expenses.
Further Research
Bennington College
Program Features
Bennington College made the cut for best acting schools based on its highly-acclaimed collaborative model. Students are expected to fully immerse themselves in the world of theatre, spending time onstage and behind the scenes. Some of the more prominent names to come out of Bennington are Peter Dinklage, Carol Channing, Alan Arkin, Justin Theroux, and Alley Mills. While at Bennington, students can expect to enjoy flexible performance spaces, productions, and forums.
Pros
- Excellent work spaces
- Faculty are practicing artists
- Internships around the country
Cons
- Student-designed study
- May be cost-prohibitive to some
- May not appeal to strict academics
Price
A student can expect to pay around $70,000 per year including tuition, housing, books/supplies, and other living expenses.
Further Research
Julliard
Program Features
Juilliard School is likely the most well-known of the best acting schools. Their four-year conservatory program has turned out some of the world’s most recognizable names, such as Robin Williams, Christine Baranski, Adam Driver, Jessica Chastain, and Andre Braugher. Juilliard is consistently ranked among the best acting schools in the U.S., if not the world, and receives favorable reviews across the board from satisfied students.
Pros
- Located in New York City
- Small class settings
- Name recognition
Cons
- Highly competitive admissions
- Lengthy application process
- High cost of living
Price
A student can expect to pay around $68,000 per year including tuition, housing, books/supplies, and other living expenses.
Further Research
Boston University
Program Features
Boston University offers tow BFA options, one in acting and the other in theater arts. If you have a laser focus on acting, but decide after your freshman year that you’d rather choose a broader approach, you may do so. Boston University also stages 35+ productions a year, allowing students to practice while they learn. Unlike many performing arts schools, they also offer a Musical Theatre Concentration. Some of the actors that attended include Jason Alexander, Michael Chiklis, Geena Davis, Emily Deschanel, and Faye Dunaway.
Pros
- Guaranteed casting in productions
- Collaborative curriculum
- Internships and partnerships across the country
Cons
- Larger class sizes for underclassmen
- 50% academic / 50% audition weighting
- May be cost prohibitive to some
Price
A student can expect to pay around $69,000 per year including tuition, housing, books/supplies, and other living expenses.
Further Research
NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Program Features
Students at the Tisch School of the Arts can expect to be placed in one of six studios for their first two years of attending. After their first two years, they can choose to go to a different studio or remain in their original studio. One of Tisch’s unique characteristics is their commitment to general education courses in humanities and sciences to complement their acting training. Some of the more notable actors to emerge from Tisch are Alec Baldwin, Lady Gaga, Spike Lee, Andy Samberg, and a host of others.
Pros
- High acceptance rate
- Located in New York City
- Film component in curriculum
Cons
- High cost of living
- Less flexible curriculum
- Lengthy application process
Price
A student can expect to pay around $64,000 per year including tuition, housing, books/supplies, and other living expenses.
Further Research
UC San Diego
Program Features
One of the best acting schools just so happens to be affiliated with one of the best theater venues in America, the La Jolla Playhouse, which churns out Tony-winning world premieres and has been a proven testing ground for playwrights like Neil Simon. And Hollywood is just two hours away! UC San Diego is consistently ranked among the best acting schools in the U.S. on national surveys.
Pros
- No audition process
- Flexible curriculum
- Many theatres/facilities
Cons
- No audition process
- Only three productions per year
- Competitive admission for out-of-state students
Price
A student can expect to pay between $30,000 and $60,000 per year including tuition, housing, books/supplies, and other living expenses.
Further Research
Brown University
Program Features
Brown University is among the best acting schools for its emphasis on teaching students history and theory in addition to their acting focus. They offer three tracks to pursue; Theatre Arts, Performance Studies, and Writing for Performance.
Pros
- Small class sizes
- No audition process
- Name recognition
Cons
- Few productions per year
- Very high tuition
- High cost of living
Price
A student can expect to pay around $74,000 per year including tuition, housing, books/supplies, and other living expenses.
Further Research
University of North Carolina
Program Features
The UNC Department of Dramatic Art boasts that it is the second oldest theatre department in the U.S. They are another program that offers a whole-picture approach to the study of theatre as an art form. It’s also affiliated with the PlayMakers Repertory Company, giving students the opportunity to work and perform with a highly-regarded regional theatre company.
Pros
- Low tuition for in-state students
- Mock auditions for seniors
- Membership in Actors Equity Association on graduation
Cons
- Accepts new classes for two consecutive years then skips a year
- Auditions only in Chapel Hill, New York, and Chicago
- Lengthy application process
Price
A student can expect to pay between $25,000 and $50,000 per year including tuition, housing, books/supplies, and other living expenses.
Further Research
California Institute of the Arts
Program Features
CalArts, as it’s known locally, rates as one of the best acting schools due to its progressive, experimental style and challenging curriculum. They encourage their students to engage in other opportunities as well, particularly Digital Arts and Integrated Media. Alison Brie, Don Cheadle, Ed Harris, And Katey Sagal are a few of CalArts’ alums.
Pros
- 30 miles from Los Angeles
- Focus on both theater and film
- Interdisciplinary studies
Cons
- High tuition
- High cost of living
- Heavy courseload
Price
A student can expect to pay between $52,000 and $62,000 per year including tuition, housing, books/supplies, and other living expenses.
Further Research
Carnegie Mellon University
Program Features
Carnegie Mellon may fall last on this listing of the best acting schools, but it certainly has the most unique approach. Their BFA program is structured so that each year builds upon the foundation laid in the student’s freshman year. By their senior year, students have had the opportunity to work in the theater, for film, and have an excellent foundation for the pursuit of acting as a career.
Pros
- Unique curriculum
- Musical theater track
- Interdisciplinary opportunities
Cons
- High tuition
- Less flexible curriculum
- Lengthy application process
Price
A student can expect to pay between $62,000 and $72,000 per year including tuition, housing, books/supplies, and other living expenses.
Further Research
The Verdict
Of these ten best acting schools, your money will stretch father if you stay close to home.
Prospective students on the west coast should certainly entertain the idea of UC San Diego. For California students, UC San Diego is a screaming deal, as it is affiliated with the La Jolla Playhouse and within driving distance of Los Angeles. This gives the student the unique edge of working with one of the top-rated theaters in the nation as well as easy access to the film hub of the world. There is also the very real possibility that a student may have the opportunity to perform in a world premiere that goes on to full production on Broadway.
For the east coast student, the flexibility, prestige, and relative affordability of Yale is a prime prospect. Yale has certainly produced some of the finest actors on stage and screen, but this Ivy League school is also home to some of the greatest minds in America, where you may rub shoulders with a future Supreme Court justice or civic leader. As the first planned city in America, the area is rich with American heritage and is home to many theaters and museums.
Whichever of the best acting schools you choose, make sure you’re physically and mentally prepared for the next four years. You must have the drive and dedication to see the program through (unless you’re Paul Newman, then maybe you can skate by after dropping out of Yale). After all, you are spending valuable time and money to pursue a dream, one that has the potential to reap rewards both personal and financial.
This article originally written for CareerActivate.com, © 2018 Wayne Campbell
