The United States is home to some of the best acting schools in the world, attracting aspiring actors from across the globe. Whether you dream of performing on Broadway or starring in television or movies, attending a top-notch acting school can be the way to break into the industry and secure your future success.
There are top acting schools located all across the country, so there are many options to choose from in different artistic cultures. Every state and city has a different approach and vibe to the performing arts, making location a big factor when choosing an institution.
Find out about the best acting schools across the US, what you need to know about them, and how to improve your chances of getting accepted!
| School | Location | Acceptance Rate | Average Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Juilliard School | New York City | 10% | 9-10 |
| Tisch School of the Arts (NYU) | New York City | 16% | 60 |
| David Geffen School of Drama at Yale | New Haven, CT | 5% | 16-18 |
| University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) | Winston-Salem, NC | 20-30% | 30 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | 4-8% | 20-30 |
| University of California San Diego (UCSD) | San Diego, CA | 3-5% | 8-10 |
| American Conservatory Theater (ACT) | San Francisco, CA | 5% | 8-12 |
| DePaul University | Chicago, IL | 18% | 30-35 |
| Boston University (BU) | Boston, MA | 10-15% | 25-30 |
| University of Southern California (USC) | Los Angeles, CA | 10-15% | 25-30 |
Top 10 Schools for Acting in the United States
The US is home to several world-class institutions that cater to aspiring actors. Here are some of the best acting schools in the US:
- The Juilliard School (New York City):
Known for its conservatory approach and rigorous training, Juilliard consistently ranks among the best acting schools in the world. - Tisch School of the Arts (NYU) (New York City):
Offering diverse programs in theater and film, Tisch provides excellent drama education for aspiring actors as one of the best acting schools in NYC. - David Geffen School of Drama at Yale (New Haven, CT):
Famous for its Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program and connection with the Yale Repertory Theatre, Yale has produced many accomplished actors. - University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) (Winston-Salem, NC):
A top-performing arts school with a strong focus on theater and acting in a smaller artistic community. - Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA):
One of the best theater colleges in the US, with a focus on both acting and technical production. - University of California San Diego (UCSD) (San Diego, CA):
With a partnership with La Jolla Playhouse, UCSD, the MFA program promises to provide a quality theater education. - American Conservatory Theater (ACT) (San Francisco, CA):
Offers rigorous training in acting and performance. - DePaul University (Chicago, IL):
A rising star among Chicago acting schools, offering excellent training in theater. - Boston University (BU) (Boston, MA):
Combines academic rigor with strong performing arts programs. - University of Southern California (USC) (Los Angeles, CA):
As one of the acting schools Los Angeles, USC is a hub for film and theater training with a connection to the Hollywood industry.
according to Niche.com
What Makes These Schools Great?
A great acting school does more than teach you how to act; it nurtures your natural talents and inclinations, helping you transform into a versatile performer who can meet the demands of all the different types of media in the modern age.
Key features to look for in good acting schools include:
Reputable performing arts colleges have a proven track record of successful graduates. Their success lends credibility to your name when you graduate.
A good school will utilize programs that cover acting, voice, movement, and performance to enhance students’ skills for the real world of acting.
Stage productions, showcases, and networking events are a must for an actor’s resumé. A competent school provides multiple opportunities for its students to participate in productions throughout their education and helps them develop a showcase before graduating.
Proximity to major theater, film, or television hubs is a huge plus. Schools in places like New York or Los Angeles have the added benefit of being close to important establishments and people well-known in the industry.
Many schools that support fine arts have a generous scholarship program, with some of them even offering tuition-free years in their MFA programs. Some schools even offer entire four-year MFA degrees fully funded. This is because they and their benefactors believe so strongly in the arts that they are willing to pay for the education of people they hardly know in the name of promoting art. You know these schools take their craft and education extremely seriously.
These top 10 schools all have these critical components, making them excellent places to pursue a performing art education.
A Closer Look at the Top 4 Best Colleges for Acting
Narrowing down your top choices for good colleges for acting can be a difficult task. It all comes down to a few key factors:
- Physical location
- Student experience
- Pedagogy
- Cost
- Making the cut
Your ideal acting courses will meet all these criteria, plus any others that you personally have.
Let’s dive deeper into the key information about the best theater colleges so you can compare them easily.
The Juilliard School
Juilliard Info
The long-standing standard of excellence among acting classes NYC, Juilliard is highly selective. They are only interested in accepting actors who already possess the passion, talent, and hunger for success in acting classes and beyond.
Their reputation for being one of the best performing arts colleges means that they can afford to have a unique approach to their BFA and MFA programs. Students in both of these programs take the majority of their classes together, learning from one another while learning from experienced professors and professionals. There are a few lower-level classes that the BFA students take while the MFA students do not, and likewise, there are a few higher-level classes that the MFA students take that the BFA students do not.
But, overall, BFA students are learning the majority of the same things that MFA students are, making the undergrad program extremely valuable for the younger crowd.
Auditions for Juilliard are grueling, and actors must prepare well and well in advance to make the cut. Auditions are held in several cities across the States so applicants from other regions have an easier time applying.
The David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University
Yale Info
An enthusiastic addition among performing arts schools, the David Geffen School is by far one of the best acting colleges in the world. Students have many opportunities to understudy and perform with the Yale Repertory Theatre, so they can receive hands-on, real-life experience before graduating. The small class size means that students receive individualized attention and can easily work all together to build a strong and unique educational experience in their acting courses. The three-year masters program means that students can learn all the pivotal aspects of acting on a professional level and graduate in a rather short time from one of the best theater schools in the US.
Auditions are also very rigorous and are held in several cities across the country, so even students looking for acting schools in Chicago can apply more easily.
University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA)
UNCSA Info
Although not near a hub of theater or entertainment, this North Carolina institution is still one of the best colleges for performing arts. Its admittance rate is far more welcoming than other schools of equal caliber. So, while the class sizes may be larger, and there may be less individual attention, the acting programs are still top-notch, helping students develop their craft and become successful performers.
One of the defining features that make UNCSA rank high among the good acting colleges is its ‘Keys to the Kingdom’ program. Students are given free rein to create their own production using the school’s resources. This way, they can explore all the facets of making a theater production from start to finish and gain valuable insight into the world of acting, writing, directing, and producing.
Auditions are held on campus, in a few cities across the country, and may even take place over Zoom.
Tisch School of the Arts at New York University (NYU)
Tisch Info
Tisch is an excellent choice when considering colleges with good theater programs. In the heart of NYC, students will learn with an intimate cohort in a studio within Tisch with the option to expand their studio experience after two years. Students learn a wide variety of techniques and information about acting, in addition to interdisciplinary subjects like directing and production, making the institution one of the best acting schools NYC.
Students have ample opportunities to audition and perform throughout their four years and are introduced to NYC’s thriving theater scene so they can learn about all the opportunities abundant in the community while making connections.
Auditions can be held in person or online.
Learn More About Acting Classes
Not sure if choosing acting makes sense for you? Committing to a degree in drama is a huge decision, so it's important to make sure you're actually up for all the work and dedication it takes to do well in the program. You also want to make sure you actually love acting!
Here is some basic information about acting classes to help you decide.
What Do You Do in Acting Classes?
In most acting classes, you will learn about different acting methods and techniques, then receive instruction on how to apply them while you act, and then practice them. This is an overly simplified description; it’s a lot of work that takes place over weeks, months, and years. That’s how long it takes to nurture and develop your artistic acting skills.
How Much Do Acting Classes Cost?
Community acting classes can cost as little as about $30 per hour while attending a university for acting classes costs tens of thousands of dollars. If you’re casually interested in acting or want to develop your skills to see if acting college can be part of your future, you should first look for local acting classes. You can also audition for local theatre productions or your school’s drama club.
Discover Acting with an Acting Coach!
Want to get started in acting? Or maybe you want help brushing up on your skills and perfecting your monologues? No matter what aspects of acting you need assistance with, you can find a professional acting tutor on Superprof who is ready to help. Discover acting classes near me when you search for a tutor on Superprof. You’ll also be able to find online acting classes since many tutors and coaches offer virtual sessions.
Improve your acting skills today with Superprof!
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