What Are the Best Schools for Acting?

What Are Three Great Acting Schools?

Florida State University in Tallahassee

The FSU undergraduate program gives you the opportunity to audition for performances in three different theatres at the school plus the chance to learn at the Theatre Academy London in your third year. During your final year, you get to be featured in the showcase held in Los Angeles.

The master's program gives you a chance to work with experienced faculty members, some of whom are members of Actors Equity and others who've written books or starred in theatrical releases. The 3-year graduate program is offered through the Asolo Conservatory, and the school provides a full tuition waiver and assistantship opportunities. By the time you graduate, you'll be eligible to join Actors Equity if you choose. FSU offers the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting
• Master of Fine Arts in Acting

Pace University in New York City

Pace University's Master of Fine Arts program is the only one of its kind and is supervised by the prestigious Actors Studio. You get to perform in downtown Manhattan in your final year, giving you a chance to display everything you've learned at Pace University. Your program also includes weekly workshops that cover a variety of topics in theater, including auditioning, analyzing scripts and directing, as well as participate in craft seminars. The faculty members have been involved with many different sectors of the acting industry; some have worked alongside well-known actors, while others have directed or coached critically acclaimed actors.

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater

University of California - San Diego

The University of California - San Diego (UCSD) was ranked number 41 on the U.S. News & World Report list of national universities. The UCSD is home to the La Jolla Playhouse, which is a Tony Award winning theatre, and the TheatreForum.

As an undergraduate student, you can audition for any of the shows produced within the theatre department and participate in the studio project. At the graduate level, you'll be performing at the La Jolla Playhouse and may have the opportunity to work with professional actors. The work of some of the faculty members has been presented in multiple countries and on Broadway. You can pursue the following degrees at UCSD:

• Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
• Master of Fine Arts in Theatre and Dance

Ten of the Best Acting Schools

*Source: NCES, U.S. Department of Education