Acting

CIP Code: 50.0506

A acting degree prepares graduates for careers in Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary, Actors. 110 colleges and universities offer this program.

Annual Degrees Awarded
1,859
Colleges Offering 110
Avg. Career Salary $80,190
Top Career Salary $80,190

What Can You Do With a Acting Degree?

Graduates with this degree pursue careers in the following fields:

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary

$80,190 +1.7% growth

Actors

N/A +0.3% growth
$80,190
Average Salary Across Careers
$80,190
Highest Paying Career
2
Career Paths Available

Best Colleges for Acting

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees awarded. These are the top-rated colleges that produce the most graduates in acting.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 87 A
2 American Musical and Dramatic Academy New York, NY 153 B
3 Temple University Philadelphia, PA 51 B
4 California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CA 41 B
5 New York Film Academy Burbank, CA 208 C+
6 American Academy of Dramatic Arts-New York New York, NY 99 C+
7 Pace University New York, NY 42 C+
8 DePaul University Chicago, IL 39 C+
9 Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH 25 C+
10 Wright State University-Main Campus Dayton, OH 25 C+
11 American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 85 C
12 Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL 71 C
13 Marymount Manhattan College New York, NY 39 C
14 KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts Dallas, TX 29 C
15 New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts New York, NY 93 D

Largest Acting Programs

Schools ranked by number of graduates. These institutions produce the most acting graduates annually, including online and distance learning programs.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 New York Film Academy Burbank, CA 208 C+
2 American Musical and Dramatic Academy New York, NY 153 B
3 American Academy of Dramatic Arts-New York New York, NY 99 C+
4 New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts New York, NY 93 D
5 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 87 A
6 American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 85 C
7 Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL 71 C
8 Temple University Philadelphia, PA 51 B
9 Pace University New York, NY 42 C+
10 California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CA 41 B
11 DePaul University Chicago, IL 39 C+
12 Marymount Manhattan College New York, NY 39 C
13 KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts Dallas, TX 29 C
14 Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH 25 C+
15 Wright State University-Main Campus Dayton, OH 25 C+
1,859
Degrees Awarded Annually
110
Colleges Offering Program
2
Related Careers

About Acting

Acting is a degree program offered at 110 colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, approximately 1,859 students graduate with this degree.

Graduates with this degree can pursue careers such as art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary, actors.

Program Classification

CIP Code 50.0506
Field (2-digit CIP) 50
Category (4-digit CIP) 50.05

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a Acting degree?
A Acting degree can lead to careers as a art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary, actors, and more. Top earners in related careers can make up to $80,190 annually.
How many colleges offer Acting?
110 colleges and universities in the United States offer Acting as a degree program. Each year, approximately 1,859 students graduate with this degree.
What are the best colleges for Acting?
The best colleges for Acting based on Repit's ratings include University of Southern California, American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Temple University, California Institute of the Arts, New York Film Academy. Rankings are based on the college's overall Repit grade and the number of degrees awarded in this program.
What is the salary potential with a Acting degree?
Graduates with a Acting degree can expect average salaries around $80,190 in related careers. Actual salaries depend on the specific career path, experience level, and location.