Compare 29 Acting. programs in California. Average earnings: $28,707.
Acting programs produce graduates earning between $26,187 and $43,766—a $17K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 29 ranked programs in California, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Sonoma State University's Acting program leads with graduates earning $43,766, followed by Pepperdine at $41,736 and Chapman at $40,640. The average across all programs is $28,707, yet this regional public outperforms prestigious private institutions while delivering stronger value.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Sonoma State graduates borrow $16,705 and face just a 10.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38, graduates can pay off student loans with about 5 months of salary.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $43,766 | 20 | $16,705 | Good | $27,986 | High |
| #2 | Pepperdine UniversityPrivate | $41,736 | 16 | $23,510 | Manageable | $41,309 | High |
| #3 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $40,640 | 85 | $20,500 | Manageable | $44,954 | High |
| #4 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $38,092 | 122 | $19,500 | Manageable | $58,361 | High |
| #5 | $37,883 | 47 | $15,500 | Manageable | $24,257 | High | |
| #6 | $37,108 | 41 | $13,993 | Manageable | $26,465 | High | |
| #7 | $35,213 | 28 | $13,000 | Manageable | $25,733 | High | |
| #8 | $32,538 | 53 | $13,872 | Challenging | $13,522 | High | |
| #9 | $30,020 | 36 | $16,666 | High | $28,682 | High | |
| #10 | $29,587 | 107 | $13,750 | High | $16,538 | High | |
| #11 | $29,209 | 78 | $14,289 | High | $15,177 | High | |
| #12 | $29,196 | 47 | $25,000 | High | $60,000 | High | |
| #13 | $29,047 | 44 | $13,000 | High | $28,508 | High | |
| #14 | $28,363 | 37 | $15,000 | High | $25,565 | High | |
| #15 | $28,019 | 9 | $22,000 | High | $25,750 | High | |
| #16 | $27,972 | 27 | $14,505 | High | $12,050 | High | |
| #17 | $27,848 | 28 | $15,000 | High | $16,507 | High | |
| #18 | $27,139 | 145 | $18,000 | High | $31,803 | High | |
| #19 | $27,006 | 40 | $15,371 | High | $19,732 | High | |
| #20 | $26,187 | 63 | $14,000 | High | $26,176 | High | |
| #21 | $25,920 | 25 | $13,807 | High | $11,061 | High | |
| #22 | $25,680 | 85 | $15,000 | High | $22,665 | High | |
| #23 | $25,194 | 10 | $26,063 | High | $31,387 | High | |
| #24 | $23,649 | 13 | $18,500 | High | $35,000 | High | |
| #25 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $23,649 | 11 | $19,162 | High | $56,271 | 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 →
