Best Acting Colleges In The World

The main goal of the BFA programs and top acting colleges in USA is to equip you for a prosperous acting career. To give you a head start, we have compiled a list of the nine best programs in the United States. To avoid any conflicts, we have arranged them in alphabetical order.

Here are some points to consider when choosing acting colleges to audition for: Don’t place too much significance on this (or any other) list. There is a wide selection of reputable acting schools available. The important thing is to find one that suits you best. Take the time to visit the schools and trust your intuition. You will instinctively know if it feels like the right fit for you.

Nevertheless, it is important that you inquire about the following queries:

Is the training of high quality? Will they provide the necessary resources for you to enhance your skills? Such as voice training, physical movement, dialects, in-depth analysis of scenes, and more?

Do they have the potential to assist you in forming relationships? The greater the number of individuals from the industry you are acquainted with, the more opportunities you have to interact with them, which can ultimately benefit you. This ultimately results in more audition opportunities and a higher chance of obtaining acting gigs.

What Are The Best Acting Colleges?

Boston University School of Theatre

This conservatory has a laid-back yet enthusiastic attitude towards the work, and it’s one of the best singing and acting colleges. They provide you with a diverse set of acting techniques to use (referred to as the “toolbox approach”), as opposed to NYU’s studio system or Rutgers’ emphasis on Meisner. The emphasis is on learning at your own speed in a creative and secure environment.

In the previous year, students who were accepted had an average GPA of 3.7 and scored between 1850 and 2070 on the SATs. The admissions decision is based 50% on academic performance and 50% on the audition. A total of 700 students applied and approximately 90 to 100 of them were accepted, eventually leading to 45 students attending.

Acting College Tuition: $53,000 a year

California Institute of the Arts

California Institute of the Arts is one of the best acting colleges in Los Angeles, it is known as the equivalent of the prestigious Juilliard school on the West Coast. This institution is characterized as a conservatory that embraces unconventional and avant-garde approaches. Around 40% of the curriculum is dedicated to “critical studies”, aiming to broaden the actor’s understanding of the world. The program places a significant emphasis on physicality and movement. Additionally, students have the opportunity to spend a semester studying abroad in Scotland.

Ideal for networking opportunities in television, cinema, and voice acting, a total of 978 auditions were conducted last year for individuals pursuing either a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. Out of these auditions, a mere 24 applicants were granted acceptance.

Acting College Tuition: $48,680 a year

The School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University

CMU, which is located in Pittsburgh, was the pioneer of conservatory programs within universities in the United States as the national school of drama. It is still considered one of the top programs nationwide and is held in high esteem.

The first year of college, known as the Discovery Year, serves as an introduction to fundamental abilities aimed at developing a more expressive mind, body, and voice.

Sophomore year marks a significant period of growth and development, as students work on strengthening fundamental skills while grappling with more intricate and sophisticated content, including the works of Shakespeare and contemporary literature.

In the Junior Year of Interpretation, the use of different acting styles and collaboration with graduate playwrights and directors are introduced to enhance the technique. The capabilities are assessed through public performances.

Senior, the connection between education and occupation: Tremendous talent. International possibilities. Platform for the entertainment industry in both New York and Los Angeles.

Every year, there are 1200 individuals who apply for admission, but only 28 of them are accepted (18 for acting and 10 for musical theater). Each class consists of 10 to 12 students. Admission is primarily determined by the audition, which accounts for 80% of the evaluation, while the remaining 20% takes into consideration the candidate’s academic record.

Acting College Tuition: $53,660 a year

The Juilliard School, Drama Division

The training provided is of exceptional quality and is highly challenging, reminiscent of a conservatory-style program. Students dedicate long hours from 9AM to 10:30PM on most days of the week. Juilliard does not prioritize one technique over another, but rather emphasizes the importance of nurturing and refining your unique approach.

The school can be found at Lincoln Center in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Attending school in New York City can be advantageous in terms of establishing connections within the industry.

Juilliard annually evaluates more than 1,000 candidates, yet only a mere 20 students are accepted into the freshman class. The primary factor for admission is the audition process, whereas academic achievements hold minimal significance.

Even if you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can still finish the program in one of the famous bfa colleges. In the end, instead of receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), you will receive a diploma.

Acting College Tuition: $46,410 per year

The Tisch School of the Arts is located in New York University.

Tisch is situated in New York City, making it an ideal location for networking. However, it is also one of the most expensive options on this list.

You participate in the school’s audition process, and if you pass, you are assigned to a specific studio. Each studio focuses on a distinct approach to acting, such as Strasberg, Adler, Meisner, Experimental, Atlantic, and CAP21 which focuses on musical theatre. Initially, you remain in your assigned studio for the first two years, but afterwards, you have the opportunity to audition for a different one.

Tisch also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong academic performance. Unlike a conservatory, they dedicate approximately 18 – 24 hours per week to professional training, depending on the studio. Additionally, students are expected to take liberal arts courses as part of their curriculum.

There were 1400 auditions conducted, resulting in 375 students being accepted into the freshman class.

Acting College Tuition: $58,226 per year

The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at SUNY Purchase

Purchase is located a 40-minute distance away from New York City. It is a conservatory that prioritizes high levels of demand and discipline.

During your initial two years, you are considered to be in a probationary period, wherein you are susceptible to termination at any point for various grounds. Some frequent reasons for dismissal encompass a lack of concentration and self-control, inadequate aptitude for professional tasks, and insufficient artistic potential. Although it is possible to be dismissed in the third or fourth year as well, it is comparatively infrequent.

In terms of class time, you should plan to dedicate approximately 27 to 40 hours per week, along with additional time for class preparation. Freshman classes typically consist of roughly 18 students.

Regrettably, I was unable to locate any information regarding their curriculum, including acting methods, philosophy, approach, and so on. If anyone has access to this information, please get in touch with me.

The cost of attending an acting college is $13,380 per year for out-of-state students, and $4,970 per year for in-state students.

Syracuse University School of Drama

Located in Syracuse, New York, SU Drama provides conservatory-style training in a university environment. Their approach to acting involves a comprehensive and versatile toolkit, without bias towards a specific technique. Students can anticipate dedicating around 30 hours each week to professional training, along with 20 hours for class preparation and an additional 5 to 7 hours for academic studies.

25 acting majors and 25 musical theatre majors will be selected for the freshman class after reviewing 700 to 900 applicants.

Similar to Rutgers, Syracuse University’s Drama department provides the opportunity for students to spend one semester during their junior year studying at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

SU Drama and Syracuse Stage are located in the same building. This allows for direct interaction between the actors from both organizations and provides students with the opportunity to participate in Syracuse Stage productions. This involvement grants students EMC points towards their Equity Membership Candidacy.

Seniors have the opportunity to participate in the Tepper Semester in New York City, where they can attend classes alongside actual actors and casting directors. Engaging in this program enables them to establish valuable connections and smoothly navigate their transition into the professional realm.

Acting College Tuition: $50,100 per year

The Department of Theatre Arts & Dance at the University of Minnesota.

However, the University of Minnesota places importance on academics as well. The philosophy revolves around the belief that well-educated actors excel in their craft. Nevertheless, the focus remains on the intensive training provided.

Around 20 students make up every freshman class, and they will remain together as a group throughout their entire four years, creating a collective company.

During the autumn semester, students in their third year travel to London.

U of M’s collaboration with the Guthrie Theater, a Minneapolis-based regional theater known for its focus on classical works, is perhaps the most remarkable aspect. Students have the opportunity to engage in workshops alongside industry experts, while seniors have the chance to try out for one of the five contract positions available for the upcoming season.

The cost of attending an acting college is $25,144 for out-of-state students and $21,144 for in-state students annually.

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts

In Winston-Salem, UNCSA offers a diverse blend of acting, voice, and movement methods within a conservatory approach. According to their website, the instruction provided in the fundamental courses aims to nurture creativity and imagination, while also equipping actors with a solid technique to regulate their performances. The course emphasizes finding a balance between natural instinct and learned artistry.

You will notice that academics are not given as much emphasis in this situation. Your acceptance is primarily determined by your audition/interview rather than your academic achievements. However, if there is a situation where they have to decide between two equally skilled students, they will prefer the one with a GPA of 3.6 over the one with a GPA of 3.0.

Around 600 to 800 individuals will try out, while the incoming group of first-year students will consist of approximately 30 individuals, comprising 20 males and 10 females.

The cost of attending an acting college is $28,826 for out-of-state students and $16,085 for in-state students per year.

Afterwords

So, there you have it. These are the best 9 acting colleges and BFA programs in the United States. Now, it is up to you to conduct more in-depth research on these institutions and identify the one that aligns with your personal style. Best of luck!

Author Bio: Nicole Hardy

Nicole Hardy is a renowned education and arts journalist, widely recognized for her insightful and comprehensive coverage of performing arts education. With a career spanning over a decade, Hardy has established herself as a leading voice in the field, known for her in-depth analyses and engaging writing style. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Arts, where she specialized in arts and culture reporting.