Compare 88 Acting. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $28,068.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Acting tells a different story. Across 88 programs, earnings range from $33,169 to $56,230—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The $23K spread proves that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
University of Notre Dame's Acting program leads with graduates earning $56,230, well above the $28,068 average across all programs. Michigan Technological University follows at $49,683, proving that regional programs compete effectively with prestigious institutions when you examine program-level outcomes rather than school brand recognition.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Notre Dame graduates borrow $19,000 and face just a 7.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.34.
Highest program earnings: $56,230
Strong outcomes ($49,683) with 88% acceptance
7.7% payment burden | Excellent
26.8% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $56,230 | 74 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | High |
| #2 | $49,683 | 5 | $24,990 | Manageable | $29,300 | High | |
| #3 | St Olaf CollegePrivate | $48,970 | 14 | $26,000 | Manageable | $40,568 | High |
| #4 | University Of IowaPublic | $39,749 | 29 | $22,500 | Manageable | $27,975 | High |
| #5 | $38,463 | 14 | $20,484 | Manageable | $28,364 | High | |
| #6 | $37,177 | 42 | $23,250 | Challenging | $37,401 | High | |
| #7 | $36,594 | 12 | $20,500 | Challenging | $14,500 | High | |
| #8 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $36,466 | 93 | $15,000 | Manageable | $26,966 | High |
| #9 | $36,302 | 12 | $22,500 | Challenging | $16,958 | High | |
| #10 | $35,799 | 51 | $19,500 | Challenging | $25,729 | High | |
| #11 | Otterbein UniversityPrivate | $35,396 | 23 | $26,000 | High | $39,500 | High |
| #12 | $35,365 | 28 | $22,024 | Challenging | $22,127 | High | |
| #13 | $35,154 | 13 | $23,592 | High | $15,000 | High | |
| #14 | $34,270 | 20 | $19,691 | Challenging | $17,670 | High | |
| #15 | North Central CollegePrivate | $34,270 | 15 | $24,500 | High | $30,000 | High |
| #16 | $33,989 | 11 | $25,000 | High | $12,953 | High | |
| #17 | $33,759 | 33 | $21,992 | High | $15,092 | High | |
| #18 | $33,587 | 22 | $22,162 | High | $19,508 | High | |
| #19 | Lindenwood UniversityPrivate | $33,381 | 19 | $26,000 | High | $18,445 | High |
| #20 | $33,169 | 34 | $21,000 | High | $25,798 | High | |
| #21 | $33,029 | 22 | $20,105 | High | $13,626 | High | |
| #22 | $32,486 | 31 | $25,000 | High | $16,878 | High | |
| #23 | Truman State UniversityPublic | $32,328 | 6 | $21,000 | High | $14,503 | High |
| #24 | $32,135 | 71 | $20,482 | High | $28,767 | High | |
| #25 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $32,058 | 64 | $23,168 | High | $41,563 | 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 →
