Acting: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring performers, this program equips students with the foundational and advanced skills necessary to convey compelling dramatic narratives through authentic and emotionally resonant performance. Emphasis is placed on developing versatility, vocal precision, physical expressiveness, and deep interpretive abilities across a range of theatrical contexts.
- Voice and acting speech: Training in vocal projection, articulation, and vocal variety to ensure clarity and emotional impact in performance.
- Stage dialects: Mastery of regional and stylized speech patterns to enhance character authenticity and audience immersion.
- Movement and physical expression: Development of body control, spatial awareness, and physical storytelling techniques essential for stage presence.
- Improvisation: Practice in spontaneous scene creation to build responsiveness, creativity, and adaptability in live performance.
- Acting styles: Exploration of diverse theatrical approaches—from naturalism to stylized and classical forms—to expand performance range.
- Theatre history: Study of dramatic traditions, movements, and key works across time to inform contemporary performance practice.
- Script interpretation: Analysis and breakdown of dramatic texts to uncover subtext, motivation, and character development.
- Actor coaching: Instruction in self-evaluation, rehearsal techniques, and collaborative feedback to refine performance craft.
Acting Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Acting Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Acting degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary and Actors. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 136,690 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
| Actors 27-2011 | N/A | N/A | 38,800 | $23.33 |
Acting Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,520 in Nevada to $129,330 in Hawaii—a 161% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, New York, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 136,690 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Acting by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 99 institutions offering Acting programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Acting is found at New York Film Academy (NYFA) (208 graduates), American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) (153 graduates), American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA), New York (99 graduates), New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (NYCDA) (93 graduates), and University of Southern California (USC) (87 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,849 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Film Academy (NYFA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
208 | Burbank, California | Private | nyfa.edu |
| American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
153 | New York, New York | Private | amda.edu |
| American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) |
Associate's
|
99 | New York, New York | Private | aada.edu |
| New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (NYCDA) |
Associate's
|
93 | New York, New York | Private | nycda.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
87 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) |
Associate's
|
85 | Los Angeles, California | Private | aada.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
71 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
51 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Pace University |
Bachelor's
|
42 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
41 | Valencia, California | Private | calarts.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) |
Bachelor's
|
39 | New York, New York | Private | mmm.edu |
| KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts |
Associate's
|
29 | Dallas, Texas | Private | kdstudio.com |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Wright State University |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | wright.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Academy of Art University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23 | San Francisco, California | Private | academyart.edu |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| Oklahoma City University (OCU) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Private | okcu.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
20 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| The Juilliard School |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 | New York, New York | Private | juilliard.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Master's
|
17 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Point Park University |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | pointpark.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Yale University |
Master's
|
16 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Purchase, New York | Public | purchase.edu |
| Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Bloomington, Illinois | Private | iwu.edu |
| Roosevelt University |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | roosevelt.edu |
| Emerson College |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emerson.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Webster University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
| Mississippi University for Women (MUW) |
Master's
|
12 | Columbus, Mississippi | Public | muw.edu |
| Saint Edward's University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Austin, Texas | Private | stedwards.edu |
| Visible Music College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
12 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | visible.edu |
| Chapman University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Elon University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Elon, North Carolina | Private | elon.edu |
| University of Evansville (UE) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Evansville, Indiana | Private | evansville.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Theatre of Arts (TOA) |
Associate's
|
10 | Hollywood, California | Private | toa.edu |
| Ithaca College (IC) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Ithaca, New York | Private | ithaca.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Master's
|
8 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| University of Hartford (UHart) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Northampton County Area Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Public | northampton.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| University of San Diego (USD) |
Master's
|
7 | San Diego, California | Private | sandiego.edu |
| Kean University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Union, New Jersey | Public | kean.edu |
| Rider University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | Private | rider.edu |
| Long Island University (LIU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
| Nassau Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Garden City, New York | Public | ncc.edu |
| Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | unco.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| Stevenson University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Owings Mills, Maryland | Private | stevenson.edu |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Private | nebrwesleyan.edu |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | Public | sru.edu |
| Millikin University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Decatur, Illinois | Private | millikin.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Master's
|
4 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Bossier City, Louisiana | Public | bpcc.edu |
| Lindenwood University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Saint Charles, Missouri | Private | lindenwood.edu |
| Stephens College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Columbia, Missouri | Private | stephens.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| Otterbein University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Westerville, Ohio | Private | otterbein.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| MediaTech Institute |
Associate's
|
4 | Dallas, Texas | Private | mediatech.edu |
| Pepperdine University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Malibu, California | Private | pepperdine.edu |
| Bradley University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Peoria, Illinois | Private | bradley.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| Drake University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Des Moines, Iowa | Private | drake.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Residency
|
3 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| Kent State University |
Master's
|
3 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Henderson, Tennessee | Private | fhu.edu |
| Southern Utah University (SUU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Cedar City, Utah | Public | suu.edu |
| Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | paradisevalley.edu |
| Community College of Denver (CCD) |
Other Award
|
2 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ccd.edu |
| Florida Southern College (FSC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | flsouthern.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Other Award
|
2 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Joplin, Missouri | Public | mssu.edu |
| Keene State College (KSC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Keene, New Hampshire | Public | keene.edu |
| Greensboro College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Private | greensboro.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Regent University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | regent.edu |
| Casper College |
Associate's
|
2 | Casper, Wyoming | Public | caspercollege.edu |
| Brenau University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Gainesville, Georgia | Private | brenau.edu |
| Augustana College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Rock Island, Illinois | Private | augustana.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Acting programs
How much can I earn with a Acting degree?
Salaries for Acting graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Actors earn around $0. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $129,330 compared to $49,520 in Nevada. Approximately 136,690 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Acting programs?
Currently 110 accredited institutions offer Acting degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include New York Film Academy (NYFA) (208 graduates), American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) (153 graduates), and American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA), New York (99 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Acting growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,123 in 2010 to a peak of 1,944 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,859 in 2023-24. This represents a 66% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Acting degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Actors, . Related occupations employ approximately 136,690 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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