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CIP 50.0506 Visual and Performing Arts

Acting

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

1,549

2025 · 102 schools

International share

11.5%

178 international students

Bachelor's degrees

1,150

6.6% international

Master's degrees

133

20.3% international

Overview

Acting is a dynamic and intricate field that focuses on the art of performance, primarily in theater, film, and television. It encompasses a range of techniques and skills that enable actors to portray characters convincingly and evoke emotions in audiences.

In an acting program, students typically engage in various forms of training, including voice modulation, movement, improvisation, and scene study. These courses help aspiring actors develop their unique styles while honing their ability to interpret scripts and understand character motivations. Classes often incorporate practical exercises and performances, allowing students to gain hands-on experience and receive constructive feedback.

Collaboration is a significant aspect of acting, as performers often work closely with directors, writers, and fellow actors to create a cohesive production. This collaborative environment fosters creativity and encourages students to learn from one another. Additionally, acting programs often provide opportunities for students to participate in workshops, showcases, and internships, which can be vital for networking and gaining industry experience.

The field of acting is competitive, with many actors pursuing careers in various mediums, including theater, film, television, and even voice acting for animation and video games. Successful actors often possess resilience, adaptability, and a deep passion for storytelling, as they navigate auditions, castings, and the challenges of the entertainment industry.

Overall, a degree in acting not only equips students with essential performance skills but also instills a profound understanding of human emotions and narratives, making them versatile artists capable of captivating audiences across diverse platforms.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2003 to 2025, graduates grew 451% and the international share went from 10.3% to 11.5%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
52.9%
Asian
2.5%
Hispanic
13.8%
Black
10.6%
Other
8.8%
Intl.
11.5%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 102 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#4 Yale University Connecticut 15 1
#16 Brown University Rhode Island 7 1
#27 University of Southern California California 85 1
#34 Boston University Massachusetts 27 1
#34 The University of Texas at Austin Texas 18 0
#49 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Washington 9 1
#55 University of Miami Florida 9 0
#55 The Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania 19 2
#59 George Washington University D.C. 14 0
#72 Syracuse University New York 27 2
#73 University of Connecticut Connecticut 5 0
#80 Pepperdine University California 5 0
#90 Baylor University Texas 18 0
#90 Texas Christian University Texas 9 0
#95 University of Illinois at Chicago Illinois 4 0
#100 Chapman University California 8 0
#100 University of San Diego California 7 1
#100 Elon University North Carolina 10 1
#109 Temple University Pennsylvania 42 2
#116 Brigham Young University-Provo Utah 4 0
#137 University of Maryland-Baltimore County Maryland 10 0
#148 Catholic University of America D.C. 3 0
#169 Bradley University Illinois 4 0
#169 DePaul University Illinois 43 2
#169 Butler University Indiana 1 0
#169 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Nebraska 5 0
#179 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Ohio 17 0
#191 Drake University Iowa 3 0
#191 Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Oklahoma 1 0
#202 Ohio University-Main Campus Ohio 10 0
#208 Belmont University Tennessee 15 0
#236 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania 13 0
#250 Pace University-New York New York 46 5
#250 Lipscomb University Tennessee 8 1
#276 Harding University Arkansas 1 0
#276 Western Michigan University Michigan 18 0
#288 University of Hartford Connecticut 6 0
#288 Shenandoah University Virginia 12 0
#308 Oakland University Michigan 8 0
#317 Kean University New Jersey 2 0
#332 Point Park University Pennsylvania 17 0
#342 University of Northern Colorado Colorado 12 0
#342 Campbell University North Carolina 1 0
#365 Liberty University Virginia 7 1
#382 Roosevelt University Illinois 17 1
#382 Wright State University-Main Campus Ohio 24 0
#382 Regent University Virginia 1 0
LAC #91 Augustana College Illinois 4 0
LAC #100 Lycoming College Pennsylvania 1 0
LAC #128 SUNY at Purchase College New York 12 0
— New York Film Academy California 108 53
— American Musical and Dramatic Academy New York 107 18
— American Academy of Dramatic Arts-New York New York 91 31
— American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles California 78 30
— Columbia College Chicago Illinois 72 1
— California Institute of the Arts California 48 8
— Marymount Manhattan College New York 42 2
— KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts Texas 28 1
— Ithaca College New York 24 0
— Oklahoma City University Oklahoma 19 0
— The Juilliard School New York 18 3
— Academy of Art University California 15 5
— Towson University Maryland 14 0
— Baldwin Wallace University Ohio 14 0
— Emerson College Massachusetts 12 1
— Mississippi University for Women Mississippi 12 0
— Rider University New Jersey 12 1
— Salem State University Massachusetts 11 0
— Long Island University New York 10 0
— Nassau Community College New York 10 0
— Northampton County Area Community College Pennsylvania 10 0
— University of Northern Iowa Iowa 9 0
— Webster University Missouri 9 0
— SUNY at Fredonia New York 9 0
— Saint Edward's University Texas 9 1
— University of Evansville Indiana 6 0
— Otterbein University Ohio 6 0
— Millikin University Illinois 5 0
— Greensboro College North Carolina 5 0
— Southern Utah University Utah 5 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 93,560 — $94,700
Actors 55,000 $58.29 —

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2003–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.