Compare 15 Acting. programs in Pennsylvania. Average earnings: $23,594.
With top graduates earning $30,915, Acting stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $7K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus's Acting program leads with graduates earning $30,915, while Muhlenberg College follows closely at $30,759. The $7,321 spread between top and bottom programs shows how outcomes track program quality rather than school reputation across Pennsylvania's 15 ranked programs.
High earnings don't guarantee affordability—debt burden tells the real story. All top programs carry significant financial risk, with Pennsylvania State graduates facing a 41% payment burden and Muhlenberg reaching 43%. Even the best value option requires careful financial planning, as typical student debt approaches $25,000.
Highest program earnings: $30,915
Strong outcomes with 80% acceptance
41.1% payment burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
108.9% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $30,915 | 34 | $25,000 | High | $38,368 | High | |
| #2 | Muhlenberg CollegePrivate | $30,759 | 76 | $25,455 | High | $48,779 | High |
| #3 | Desales UniversityPrivate | $29,418 | 38 | $25,788 | High | $33,790 | High |
| #4 | $29,141 | 9 | $25,000 | High | $23,528 | High | |
| #5 | Point Park UniversityPrivate | $28,336 | 76 | $27,000 | High | $24,041 | High |
| #6 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $25,846 | 42 | $21,750 | High | $37,130 | High |
| #7 | Temple UniversityPublic | $24,761 | 74 | $24,395 | High | $36,495 | High |
| #8 | University Of The ArtsPrivate | $23,899 | 71 | $27,000 | High | $71,040 | High |
| #9 | $22,055 | 16 | $23,500 | High | $25,362 | High | |
| #10 | Susquehanna UniversityPrivate | $21,052 | 16 | $27,000 | High | $46,359 | High |
| #11 | $18,401 | 14 | $26,798 | High | $26,073 | High | |
| #12 | Arcadia UniversityPrivate | $18,385 | 11 | $27,000 | High | $29,652 | High |
| #13 | Seton Hill UniversityPrivate | $17,717 | 15 | $27,000 | High | $32,366 | High |
| #14 | $17,055 | 11 | $24,218 | High | $25,252 | High | |
| #15 | $16,169 | 6 | $23,725 | High | $17,794 | 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 →
