Acting: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

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.

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.

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.

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.