2027 Best Acting Schools in New York
Acting is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their acting programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools to find the best for acting students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Acting in New York
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the acting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Acting
Syracuse University tops our 2027 ranking of the best acting schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 acting students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, acting degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $20,988. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in acting from Syracuse University
Ithaca College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in acting, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 acting students who graduated with this degree at Ithaca College in the most recent data year. Acting graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $18,243 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full acting program report for Ithaca College
American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in acting, landing the #3 spot this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. American Musical And Dramatic Academy graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 151 acting students who graduated with this degree at American Musical And Dramatic Academy in the most recent data year. Students who receive their acting degree from American Musical And Dramatic Academy earn around $16,900 in the first couple years of their career. American Musical And Dramatic Academy graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans.
See the full acting program report for American Musical And Dramatic Academy
Students looking for a strong acting program will find one at Nassau Community College, which ranked #4. This large public university is located in the suburb of Garden City. Nassau Community College awarded about 10 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the acting program make about $38,734 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete this degree.
Read more about the acting program at Nassau Community College
Suny At Purchase College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in acting, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 12 acting degrees were awarded at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent year. Students who receive their acting degree from Suny At Purchase College earn around $18,090 in the first couple years of their career. Suny At Purchase College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the acting program at Suny At Purchase College
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York came in at #6 for acting this year. Located in the city of New York, American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York is a small private not-for-profit university. About 91 acting degrees were awarded at American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their acting degree from American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York earn around $13,390 in the first couple years of their career. American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York graduates carry a median of $14,585 in student loans.
See the full acting program report for American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York
The Juilliard School came in at #7 for acting this year. Located in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit university. The Juilliard School graduates 91% of students within six years. About 18 acting degrees were awarded at The Juilliard School in the most recent year. Acting graduates of The Juilliard School earn a median of $14,160 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full acting program report for The Juilliard School
Long Island University C W Post Campus placed #8 among the best acting schools. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 10 acting degrees were awarded at Long Island University C W Post Campus in the most recent year. Acting graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $18,671 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in acting from Long Island University C W Post Campus
Marymount Manhattan College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best acting schools. Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Marymount Manhattan College graduates 49% of students within six years. Marymount Manhattan College awarded about 42 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their acting degree from Marymount Manhattan College earn around $19,562 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full acting program report for Marymount Manhattan College
Pace University New York earned the #10 position for acting this year. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pace University New York awarded about 46 acting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the acting program make about $17,946 in their early career. Pace University New York graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in acting from Pace University New York
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 10 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.