Compare 11 Acting. programs in North Carolina. Average earnings: $26,275.
The highest-earning Acting program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $15K earnings gap across 11 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Elon University's Acting program leads with graduates earning $34,132, well above the $26,275 average across North Carolina programs. UNC Wilmington follows at $32,012, while even UNC Chapel Hill—despite its 19% acceptance rate—produces graduates earning $28,960, demonstrating that selectivity doesn't guarantee the highest outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. All three top programs create challenging payment situations, with Elon graduates facing a 24% payment burden and UNC Wilmington at 28%. Even Chapel Hill, with the lowest net price at $3,165, still results in a 30% payment burden for graduates.
Highest program earnings: $34,132
Strong outcomes with 67% acceptance
24.3% payment burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
66.4% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Elon UniversityPrivate | $34,132 | 46 | $20,500 | Challenging | $46,609 | High |
| #2 | $32,012 | 33 | $19,500 | High | $22,737 | High | |
| #3 | $28,960 | 36 | $14,000 | High | $25,072 | High | |
| #4 | $28,598 | 21 | $21,500 | High | $19,809 | High | |
| #5 | $28,178 | 94 | $23,870 | High | $44,645 | High | |
| #6 | $28,148 | 26 | $21,868 | High | $18,241 | High | |
| #7 | East Carolina UniversityPublic | $24,121 | 29 | $22,750 | High | $19,710 | High |
| #8 | $24,055 | 61 | $22,858 | High | $14,638 | High | |
| #9 | $21,052 | 9 | $20,500 | High | $20,305 | High | |
| #10 | $20,996 | 23 | $27,000 | High | $20,004 | High | |
| #11 | $18,771 | 28 | $20,231 | High | $21,919 | 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 →
