by our College Data Analytics Team
[Acting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/acting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2 schools to find the best return on investment for acting students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in acting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Florida Southern College earned the #1 spot for value among acting schools in Florida. Set in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,040. Acting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Acting graduates of Florida Southern College earn a median of $22,336 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Miami one of the best values for acting. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the acting program here. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $16,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 2 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.