Compare 6 Acting. programs in Colorado. Average earnings: $28,945.
The highest-earning Acting program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $13K earnings gap across 6 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus leads with Acting graduates earning $36,157, well above the $28,945 average across Colorado programs. Metropolitan State University of Denver follows at $34,498, demonstrating that program quality varies independently of overall school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters significantly in this field. University of Colorado Denver graduates borrow $20,500 and face a 20.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Challenging' category. For families, Metropolitan State offers better value with a 42.9% family burden versus 45.9% at UC Denver.
Highest program earnings: $36,157
Strong outcomes with 78% acceptance rate
20.7% payment burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
42.9% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $36,157 | 43 | $20,500 | Challenging | $21,716 | High | |
| #2 | $34,498 | 18 | $21,500 | Challenging | $13,743 | High | |
| #3 | $28,493 | 78 | $20,470 | High | $22,566 | High | |
| #4 | Colorado Mesa UniversityPublic | $27,490 | 13 | $22,000 | High | $18,879 | High |
| #5 | $24,035 | 16 | $20,000 | High | $36,000 | High | |
| #6 | $22,999 | 27 | $19,500 | High | $46,340 | 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 →