Compare 7 Acting. programs in Massachusetts. Average earnings: $26,640.
With top graduates earning $38,227, Acting stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $10K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Emerson College's Acting program leads with graduates earning $38,227, well above the $26,640 average across Massachusetts programs. Boston University follows at $29,886, while UMass Amherst produces graduates earning $28,569—demonstrating that program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall school reputation.
High earnings don't guarantee affordability—debt burden tells the real story. Emerson College graduates face a 20.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Challenging' category where loan payments require careful budgeting. When parent loans are included, all three top programs exceed 90% family burden, making financing decisions critical.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Emerson CollegePrivate | $38,227 | 119 | $23,000 | Challenging | $69,996 | High |
| #2 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $29,886 | 57 | $23,250 | High | $39,000 | High |
| #3 | $28,569 | 28 | $22,763 | High | $26,243 | High | |
| #4 | Dean CollegePrivate | $25,413 | 12 | $25,000 | High | $58,742 | High |
| #5 | Boston CollegePrivate | $24,035 | 11 | $19,000 | High | $45,000 | High |
| #6 | Suffolk UniversityPrivate | $23,189 | 24 | $26,889 | High | $38,234 | High |
| #7 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $17,162 | 11 | $25,648 | High | $35,451 | 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 →
