Compare 8 Acting. programs in Minnesota. Average earnings: $30,666.
The highest-earning Acting program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $31K earnings gap across 8 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
St Olaf College's Acting program leads with graduates earning $48,970—significantly above the $30,666 average across Minnesota programs. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities follows at $35,799, while UMN-Duluth reaches $35,365, demonstrating that program outcomes vary independently of overall school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. St Olaf graduates borrow $26,000 and face a 13.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. However, when parent loans are included, all top programs show high family burdens exceeding 37%, making student-only financing the smarter path.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | St Olaf CollegePrivate | $48,970 | 14 | $26,000 | Manageable | $40,568 | High |
| #2 | $35,799 | 51 | $19,500 | Challenging | $25,729 | High | |
| #3 | $35,365 | 28 | $22,024 | Challenging | $22,127 | High | |
| #4 | $31,670 | 5 | $26,847 | High | $29,471 | High | |
| #5 | Gustavus Adolphus CollegePrivate | $28,601 | 7 | $26,774 | High | $34,265 | High |
| #6 | $27,060 | 8 | $21,500 | High | $14,676 | High | |
| #7 | $19,541 | 10 | $21,325 | High | $28,694 | High | |
| #8 | $18,318 | 17 | $21,106 | High | $13,695 | 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 →
