If you dream of becoming an actor in movies, picking the right college can help you learn the skills you need and give you opportunities to shine. Here’s a list of the 25 best colleges for film acting in the US for 2024, with all the details you need to know in simple terms.
1. Juilliard School
GPA: 3.5
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Requirements: Strong academic record, outstanding audition, and passion for acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often land roles in films, TV shows, and theatre productions. Many become well-known actors.
Academic Highlights: Juilliard offers rigorous acting training with a focus on technique, voice, and movement. Students participate in numerous performances and have opportunities to connect with industry professionals.
2. New York University (Tisch School of the Arts)
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1400
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 21%
Requirements: Good grades, impressive audition, and strong portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in film, television, and theatre, often achieving significant success.
Academic Highlights: Tisch provides comprehensive acting training with courses in film, television, and stage acting. Students gain experience through NYU’s strong industry connections and internships.
3. University of Southern California (USC)
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1450
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Requirements: High academic performance, exceptional audition, and commitment to acting.
Professional Outcomes: Many graduates become successful actors in Hollywood and beyond.
Academic Highlights: USC’s School of Dramatic Arts offers extensive training in film and stage acting. Students benefit from USC’s location in Los Angeles, providing access to numerous industry opportunities.
4. Yale University (David Geffen School of Drama)
GPA: 3.9
Median SAT: 1500
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 6%
Requirements: Top grades, remarkable audition, and dedication to acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently achieve success in film, television, and theatre.
Academic Highlights: Yale offers an intensive acting program with a strong emphasis on classical and contemporary theatre. Students participate in numerous productions and can network with professionals in the field.
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5. American Film Institute (AFI)
GPA: N/A (focus on portfolio and audition)
Median SAT: N/A
Median ACT: N/A
Acceptance Rate: 8%
Requirements: Excellent portfolio and audition, passion for acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often find roles in film and television and work with top directors.
Academic Highlights: AFI provides hands-on training in acting for film, with students working on numerous film projects. The institute’s connections to the film industry offer valuable networking opportunities.
6. California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
GPA: 3.5
Median SAT: 1250
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 24%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong audition, and creative portfolio.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in film, TV, animation, and theatre, often in innovative roles.
Academic Highlights: CalArts offers a dynamic acting program with a focus on experimental and traditional techniques. Students collaborate on various projects and have access to industry professionals.
7. Northwestern University
GPA: 3.9
Median SAT: 1480
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 9%
Requirements: High grades, exceptional audition, and strong interest in acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often achieve success in film, television, and theatre.
Academic Highlights: Northwestern’s School of Communication provides comprehensive acting training with opportunities for stage and screen acting. Students can participate in numerous productions and internships.
8. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
GPA: 3.9
Median SAT: 1400
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Requirements: Strong academic performance, excellent audition, and dedication to acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently find roles in film, television, and theatre.
Academic Highlights: UCLA offers a well-rounded acting program with courses in film, TV, and theatre. Students gain practical experience through performances and industry connections.
9. Boston University (College of Fine Arts)
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Requirements: Good grades, strong audition, and passion for acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in film, TV, and theatre, often achieving notable success.
Academic Highlights: Boston University’s acting program focuses on technique, voice, and movement. Students participate in various productions and benefit from BU’s strong industry connections.
Best Colleges for Film Acting
10. Carnegie Mellon University (School of Drama)
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1450
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Requirements: High grades, exceptional audition, and commitment to acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often become successful actors in film, TV, and theatre.
Academic Highlights: Carnegie Mellon offers a rigorous acting program with a focus on classical and contemporary theatre. Students participate in numerous productions and have opportunities for internships.
11. University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA)
GPA: 3.4
Median SAT: 1200
Median ACT: 25
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong audition, and passion for acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently work in film, TV, and theatre, often achieving success.
Academic Highlights: UNCSA offers comprehensive acting training with a focus on technique and performance. Students participate in various productions and have access to industry professionals.
12. Emerson College
GPA: 3.5
Median SAT: 1250
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 36%
Requirements: Good grades, strong audition, and love for acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in film, TV, and theatre, achieving notable success.
Academic Highlights: Emerson’s acting program provides extensive training in stage and screen acting. Students participate in numerous performances and benefit from Emerson’s strong industry connections.
13. University of Texas at Austin
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 32%
Requirements: Strong academic record, impressive audition, and commitment to acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently find roles in film, TV, and theatre.
Academic Highlights: UT Austin offers a well-rounded acting program with courses in film, TV, and theatre. Students gain practical experience through performances and industry connections.
14. DePaul University (The Theatre School)
GPA: 3.4
Median SAT: 1200
Median ACT: 25
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong audition, and love for acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in film, TV, and theatre, achieving success.
Academic Highlights: DePaul’s acting program focuses on technique, voice, and movement. Students participate in various productions and benefit from DePaul’s strong industry connections.
15. University of Michigan
GPA: 3.8
Median SAT: 1420
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 20%
Requirements: High grades, exceptional audition, and dedication to acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently become successful actors in film, TV, and theatre.
Academic Highlights: University of Michigan offers a comprehensive acting program with courses in stage and screen acting. Students participate in numerous productions and have opportunities for internships.
16. Syracuse University (College of Visual and Performing Arts)
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Requirements: Good grades, strong audition, and passion for acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in film, TV, and theatre, achieving notable success.
Academic Highlights: Syracuse’s acting program provides extensive training in technique, voice, and movement. Students participate in various productions and benefit from Syracuse’s strong industry connections.
17. Chapman University (Dodge College of Film and Media Arts)
GPA: 3.5
Median SAT: 1250
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong audition, and commitment to acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently find roles in film, TV, and theatre.
Academic Highlights: Chapman offers a well-rounded acting program with courses in film, TV, and theatre. Students gain practical experience through performances and industry connections.
18. University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1330
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 29%
Requirements: Strong academic record, impressive audition, and love for acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in film,
TV, and theatre, achieving success.
Academic Highlights: UCSB provides comprehensive acting training with a focus on technique and performance. Students participate in various productions and benefit from UCSB’s strong industry connections.
19. Pace University (School of Performing Arts)
GPA: 3.4
Median SAT: 1200
Median ACT: 25
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong audition, and passion for acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently work in film, TV, and theatre, often achieving success.
Academic Highlights: Pace offers a dynamic acting program with courses in stage and screen acting. Students participate in numerous performances and have access to industry professionals.
20. University of Miami
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 27%
Requirements: Good grades, strong audition, and love for acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in film, TV, and theatre, achieving notable success.
Academic Highlights: University of Miami offers a well-rounded acting program with courses in technique, voice, and movement. Students participate in various productions and benefit from the university’s strong industry connections.
21. Fordham University
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 46%
Requirements: Strong academic record, impressive audition, and passion for acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently find roles in film, TV, and theatre.
Academic Highlights: Fordham’s acting program focuses on technique, voice, and movement. Students participate in numerous productions and benefit from Fordham’s strong industry connections.
22. Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
GPA: 3.6
Median SAT: 1320
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Requirements: Good grades, strong audition, and commitment to acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in film, TV, and theatre, achieving success.
Academic Highlights: LMU offers a comprehensive acting program with courses in film, TV, and theatre. Students gain practical experience through performances and industry connections.
23. University of Oklahoma
GPA: 3.4
Median SAT: 1150
Median ACT: 24
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong audition, and passion for acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently work in film, TV, and theatre, often achieving success.
Academic Highlights: University of Oklahoma provides extensive acting training with a focus on technique and performance. Students participate in various productions and benefit from the university’s strong industry connections.
24. University of California, Irvine (UCI)
GPA: 3.7
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 29%
Requirements: Strong academic record, impressive audition, and love for acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in film, TV, and theatre, achieving success.
Academic Highlights: UCI offers a well-rounded acting program with courses in technique, voice, and movement. Students gain practical experience through performances and industry connections.
25. Arizona State University (ASU)
GPA: 3.4
Median SAT: 1200
Median ACT: 25
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Requirements: Good academic record, strong audition, and commitment to acting.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates frequently find roles in film, TV, and theatre.
Academic Highlights: ASU provides comprehensive acting training with a focus on technique and performance. Students participate in various productions and benefit from ASU’s strong industry connections.
Best Colleges for Acting and Film – Conclusion
Choosing the right college for film acting is essential for building a successful acting career. The 25 Best Colleges for Acting and Film above offer exceptional programs that combine rigorous training, hands-on experience, and opportunities to connect with industry professionals. Whether you aim to be in movies, TV shows, or theatre, these institutions provide the foundation you need to succeed. By considering factors like GPA, SAT and ACT scores, acceptance rates, requirements, and professional outcomes, you can find the college that best fits your goals and set the stage for an exciting future in film acting.