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Acting

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#1 #1 Best College for Acting in the U.S. The Juilliard School New York, NY At The Juilliard School, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Stringed Instruments, Dance, General, and Voice and Opera. In fact, The Juilliard School awards 40 degrees every year to Stringed Instruments majors....view more Acceptance Rate 9% Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $56,138
#2 #2 Best College for Acting in the U.S. California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CA At California Institute of the Arts, the most popular majors students pursue are Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Acting, and Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology....view more Acceptance Rate 32% Annual Degrees Awarded 15 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $55,032
#3 #3 Best College for Acting in the U.S. Yale University New Haven, CT Yale offers students seventy possible majors, which must be declared by sophomore or junior years, but students are always welcome to change. Some of the top majors currently are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Computer and Information Sciences, General, History, General, Political Science and Government, General,......view more Acceptance Rate 5% Annual Degrees Awarded 15 SAT Score 1,470–1,570 Median Starting Salary $44,796
#4 #4 Best College for Acting in the U.S. Mississippi University for Women Columbus, MS Every year, Mississippi University for Women awards about 292 degrees to students studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 90% Annual Degrees Awarded 12 SAT Score 930–1,180 Median Starting Salary $48,772
#5 #5 Best College for Acting in the U.S. Brown University Providence, RI In 1969, Brown University removed general education requirements, allowing students to craft their own journey with the help of an advising network. Popular concentrations include Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Applied Mathematics, General, International Relations and Affairs, Biology/Biological......view more Acceptance Rate 6% Annual Degrees Awarded 7 SAT Score 1,460–1,560 Median Starting Salary $51,355
#6 #6 Best College for Acting in the U.S. University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA At the University of Southern California, the most popular majors students study are Management Science, Computer Science, and Human Biology. In fact, the University of Southern California awards 1244 degrees annually to Management Science majors....view more Acceptance Rate 11% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 1,460–1,550 Median Starting Salary $45,934
#7 #7 Best College for Acting in the U.S. George Washington University Washington, DC At George Washington University, the most popular majors students pursue are International Relations and Affairs, Political Science and Government, General, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse....view more Acceptance Rate 47% Annual Degrees Awarded 14 SAT Score 1,380–1,500 Median Starting Salary $50,724
#8 #8 Best College for Acting in the U.S. DePaul University Chicago, IL At DePaul University, the three most popular college majors students study are Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Finance, General, Psychology, and General. In fact, DePaul University grants 313 degrees every year to graduating Cinematography and Film/Video Production students....view more Acceptance Rate 88% Annual Degrees Awarded 14 SAT Score 1,160–1,360 Median Starting Salary $52,076
#9 #9 Best College for Acting in the U.S. University of San Diego San Diego, CA Each year, the University of San Diego awards around 185 degrees to those studying Finance, General, the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 54% Annual Degrees Awarded 7 SAT Score 1,210–1,390 Median Starting Salary $51,896
#10 #10 Best College for Acting in the U.S. Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL Each year, Columbia College Chicago awards about 251 degrees to those majoring in Cinematography and Film/Video Production, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 74% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $53,431
#11 #11 Best College for Acting in the U.S. Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles, CA At Mount Saint Mary's University, the three most popular college majors students study are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 73% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 910–1,120 Median Starting Salary $50,605
#12 #12 Best College for Acting in the U.S. Temple University Philadelphia, PA Each year, Temple University grants around 345 degrees to students majoring in Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Finance, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 86% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,030–1,330 Median Starting Salary $54,028
#13 #13 Best College for Acting in the U.S. New York Film Academy Burbank, CA At New York Film Academy, the most popular majors students study are Acting, Cinematography and Film/Video Production, and Playwriting and Screenwriting. In fact, New York Film Academy awards 82 degrees every year to graduating Acting students....view more Acceptance Rate 52% Annual Degrees Awarded 13 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $51,847
#14 #14 Best College for Acting in the U.S. Academy of Art University San Francisco, CA At Academy of Art University, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation, Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 100% Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $51,847
*The estimated net prices above are College Raptor’s estimate. Please contact the college financial aid office for actual net cost figures.

About Acting

Acting programs prepare 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.

Of the 133 Acting degrees granted each year at the Masters degree level, women make up 50% percent and men make up 50% percent of the area of study. Did you know that California has more students graduating with a degree in Acting than any other state? In fact, California awarded 57 degrees last year! The average annual income for an undergraduate degree in Acting is $37,200.

Popularity of Acting Degrees in the U.S.

This heat map represents the states that have the highest percent of Acting degrees compared to all other degrees awarded in that state.

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Careers

The highest paying career for Acting majors is Art, Drama Music Teachers, Postsecondary. But, another thing to think about is how much demand there is for certain jobs. A position that is in high need that a degree in Acting can prepare you for is Art, Drama Music Teachers, Postsecondary.

Top Paying Careers

These are the highest paying careers for Acting majors.

Most In-Demand Careers

These are the careers in highest demand for Acting majors.

#1 Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Student Demographics

Total Students

133

Female Students

67 (50%)

Male Students

66 (49%)

Resources for:

Articles

Resources for:

Acting

#1 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

9%

10

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$56,138

#2 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

32%

15

--

$55,032

#3 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

5%

15

1,470–1,570

$44,796

#4 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

90%

12

930–1,180

$48,772

#5 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

6%

7

1,460–1,560

$51,355

#6 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

11%

9

1,460–1,550

$45,934

#7 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

47%

14

1,380–1,500

$50,724

#8 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

88%

14

1,160–1,360

$52,076

#9 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

54%

7

1,210–1,390

$51,896

#10 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

74%

2

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$53,431

#11 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

73%

3

910–1,120

$50,605

#12 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

86%

2

1,030–1,330

$54,028

#13 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

52%

13

--

$51,847

#14 Best College for Acting in the U.S.

100%

10

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