Compare 63 Acting. programs in the West. Average earnings: $27,709.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Acting. tells a different story. Across 63 programs, earnings range from $29,587 to $44,357—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
At the top, University of Washington-Seattle Campus produces Acting. graduates earning $44,357, well above the $27,709 average. Sonoma State University follows at $43,766, with a 95% acceptance rate proving accessibility doesn't compromise outcomes. Even selective Pepperdine at $41,736 trails these program-focused leaders.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Washington graduates borrow $14,615 and face just a 9.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. Sonoma State achieves similar affordability at 10.8%, while Pepperdine's burden jumps to 16.8% despite comparable outcomes.
Highest program earnings: $44,357
Strong outcomes with 95% acceptance
9.2% payment burden | Good
27.2% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $44,357 | 30 | $14,615 | Good | $24,883 | High | |
| #2 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $43,766 | 20 | $16,705 | Good | $27,986 | High |
| #3 | Pepperdine UniversityPrivate | $41,736 | 16 | $23,510 | Manageable | $41,309 | High |
| #4 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $40,640 | 85 | $20,500 | Manageable | $44,954 | High |
| #5 | University Of OregonPublic | $40,075 | 25 | $20,139 | Manageable | $44,405 | High |
| #6 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $38,092 | 122 | $19,500 | Manageable | $58,361 | High |
| #7 | $37,883 | 47 | $15,500 | Manageable | $24,257 | High | |
| #8 | $37,709 | 22 | $20,500 | Challenging | $18,859 | High | |
| #9 | $37,108 | 41 | $13,993 | Manageable | $26,465 | High | |
| #10 | $36,418 | 57 | $19,500 | Challenging | $23,519 | High | |
| #11 | $36,157 | 43 | $20,500 | Challenging | $21,716 | High | |
| #12 | $35,429 | 18 | $19,000 | Challenging | $23,489 | High | |
| #13 | $35,213 | 28 | $13,000 | Manageable | $25,733 | High | |
| #14 | $34,498 | 18 | $21,500 | Challenging | $13,743 | High | |
| #15 | $33,281 | 40 | $19,450 | Challenging | $20,906 | High | |
| #16 | $32,538 | 53 | $13,872 | Challenging | $13,522 | High | |
| #17 | Utah Valley UniversityPublic | $31,525 | 19 | $14,750 | Challenging | $9,582 | High |
| #18 | $30,213 | 54 | $18,500 | High | $23,123 | High | |
| #19 | $30,020 | 36 | $16,666 | High | $28,682 | High | |
| #20 | $29,587 | 107 | $13,750 | High | $16,538 | High | |
| #21 | $29,209 | 78 | $14,289 | High | $15,177 | High | |
| #22 | $29,196 | 47 | $25,000 | High | $60,000 | High | |
| #23 | $29,047 | 44 | $13,000 | High | $28,508 | High | |
| #24 | $28,493 | 78 | $20,470 | High | $22,566 | High | |
| #25 | University Of IdahoPublic | $28,464 | 15 | $21,982 | High | $21,162 | 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 →
