Compare 8 Acting. programs in Virginia. Average earnings: $30,117.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Acting programs tell a different story. Across 8 programs in Virginia, earnings range from $18,771 to $37,372—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University's Acting program leads with graduates earning $37,372, well above the state average of $30,117. George Mason University follows at $36,403, with Virginia Commonwealth University at $34,671—proof that program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. George Mason University graduates borrow $19,500 and face a 19.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Challenging' category. While all top programs carry significant debt loads, George Mason offers the lightest burden with strong $36,403 outcomes.
Highest program earnings: $37,372
Strong outcomes ($37,372) with 57% acceptance
19.3% payment burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
48.0% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $37,372 | 23 | $21,500 | Challenging | $35,325 | High | |
| #2 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $36,403 | 28 | $19,500 | Challenging | $25,142 | High |
| #3 | $34,671 | 36 | $21,500 | Challenging | $23,585 | High | |
| #4 | Shenandoah UniversityPrivate | $31,336 | 39 | $25,000 | High | $46,387 | High |
| #5 | Radford UniversityPublic | $29,659 | 19 | $24,000 | High | $22,158 | High |
| #6 | Old Dominion UniversityPublic | $26,525 | 14 | $24,000 | High | $18,866 | High |
| #7 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $26,202 | 55 | $20,093 | High | $37,285 | High |
| #8 | $18,771 | 11 | $17,500 | High | $28,903 | 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 →
