Compare 324 Acting. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $27,096. Top programs: $56,230+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Acting programs tell a different story. Across 324 programs, earnings range from $38,092 to $56,230—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Notre Dame's Acting program leads with graduates earning $56,230, well above the $27,096 average. Michigan Technological University follows at $49,683 with 88% acceptance, proving accessible programs can deliver strong outcomes. St. Olaf College rounds out the top three at $48,970.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. CUNY Queens College graduates borrow $10,298 and face just a 6.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income compared to Notre Dame's 7.7% burden.
Highest program earnings: $56,230
Strong outcomes ($49,683) with 88% acceptance
6.3% payment burden | Excellent
15.6% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $56,230 | 74 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | High |
| #2 | $49,683 | 5 | $24,990 | Manageable | $29,300 | High | |
| #3 | St Olaf CollegePrivate | $48,970 | 14 | $26,000 | Manageable | $40,568 | High |
| #4 | $45,128 | 37 | $20,500 | Manageable | $26,632 | High | |
| #5 | Cuny Queens CollegePublic | $45,005 | 22 | $10,298 | Excellent | $17,680 | Challenging |
| #6 | $44,357 | 30 | $14,615 | Good | $24,883 | High | |
| #7 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $43,766 | 20 | $16,705 | Good | $27,986 | High |
| #8 | Pepperdine UniversityPrivate | $41,736 | 16 | $23,510 | Manageable | $41,309 | High |
| #9 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $41,501 | 6 | $18,228 | Manageable | $21,400 | High |
| #10 | $41,484 | 38 | $10,533 | Excellent | $9,563 | Manageable | |
| #11 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $40,640 | 85 | $20,500 | Manageable | $44,954 | High |
| #12 | University Of OregonPublic | $40,075 | 25 | $20,139 | Manageable | $44,405 | High |
| #13 | University Of IowaPublic | $39,749 | 29 | $22,500 | Manageable | $27,975 | High |
| #14 | College Of CharlestonPublic | $39,600 | 34 | $23,250 | Challenging | $35,971 | High |
| #15 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $39,572 | 23 | $21,500 | Manageable | $23,443 | High |
| #16 | Drew UniversityPrivate | $38,978 | 20 | $25,288 | Challenging | $30,994 | High |
| #17 | $38,463 | 14 | $20,484 | Manageable | $28,364 | High | |
| #18 | Saint Edward's UniversityPrivate | $38,383 | 25 | $24,803 | Challenging | $28,135 | High |
| #19 | Emerson CollegePrivate | $38,227 | 119 | $23,000 | Challenging | $69,996 | High |
| #20 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $38,092 | 122 | $19,500 | Manageable | $58,361 | High |
| #21 | $37,883 | 47 | $15,500 | Manageable | $24,257 | High | |
| #22 | $37,709 | 22 | $20,500 | Challenging | $18,859 | High | |
| #23 | $37,524 | 42 | $18,750 | Manageable | $15,048 | High | |
| #24 | $37,372 | 23 | $21,500 | Challenging | $35,325 | High | |
| #25 | $37,177 | 42 | $23,250 | Challenging | $37,401 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
