The 25 Best Drama Schools of 2025

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As drama schools emerge from the impact of COVID-19, they find themselves adapting to new audience behaviors, financial adjustments, and the shifting demands of an arts education. In this dynamic landscape, institutions are revising their course offerings to equip students more effectively and prioritize on-camera training, as well as encouraging self-produced work by actors. Moreover, some programs strive to sustain or expand tuition-free structures, making the escalating cost of higher education a crucial consideration for those seeking a career in performing arts.

To decide its top choices for acting degrees, THR consulted with professionals in the field and educators. Key considerations included comprehensive training, affordability, alumni achievements, and industry networking opportunities. Wherever possible, the tuition (excluding housing and other expenses) is stated for the upcoming academic year.

Juilliard

NEW YORK CITY

Last year, the renowned drama school abolished tuition fees for its MFA program and has since initiated a drive to progressively make all undergraduate programs tuition-free across various disciplines. Each year, they aim to increase the number of tuition-free students. This move towards free education for the drama MFA last year resulted in an influx of applications, according to Evan Yionoulis, dean and head of the drama department. However, gaining admission is competitive: Juilliard admits just 18 acting students per year, with approximately half enrolled in either MFA or BFA programs, who study together throughout the four-year curriculum. The school provides top-tier conservatory-style training, opportunities to act in short films written by former students, workshops with industry professionals (such as Tony Award-winning musical theater composer Jeanine Tesori), and an annual playwriting festival. In addition, they regularly host community meetings every other week with charities, artists like Robert Downey Jr., Meredith Monk, and Maulik Pancholy. Yionoulis emphasizes that Juilliard is deeply committed to its artists’ involvement in the community and global society. The school’s distinguished alumni roster includes Jessica Chastain, Adam Driver, and Viola Davis, while recent successes include Jayme Lawson (from Sinners), David Corenswet (James Gunn’s upcoming Superman), and Ella Beatty (who recently co-starred off-Broadway in Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes opposite Hugh Jackman). Currently, undergraduate tuition stands at $55,500.

Yale

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

The David Geffen School of Drama’s graduate program continues to be tuition-free and offers a living stipend based on need, with an unprecedented number of applications last year, although only 1.2% were admitted for the acting class of 16 students. Last year, the drama school resumed its three-year program after temporarily extending it to four years during the pandemic to compensate for lost in-person learning. In addition to its traditional theater repertoire, which includes work at Yale Rep, the school has introduced courses focusing on camera work and self-taping. According to dean James Bundy, self-taping is now a standard industry practice, making it a crucial skill for graduates to possess. Notable alumni include Meryl Streep and Paul Giamatti, as well as recent graduates like Patrick Ball from The Pitt and Ilia Paulino from The Sex Lives of College Girls. Yale is currently constructing a new drama school building that will accommodate Yale Rep, both graduate and undergraduate programs, with groundbreaking expected in 2026. Dean Bundy plans to retire in June 2026 after two decades in the role, and a search committee is currently looking for his successor.

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

WINSTON-SALEM

Previously serving as the artistic director at ACT Contemporary Theatre in Seattle and a graduate of the institution, John Langs assumed the role of dean for UNCSA’s robust undergraduate drama program last year. Since then, he has concentrated the academic framework around three key areas: on-camera training, developing new pieces, and revisiting classical works. During their third and fourth years, students are given the opportunity to perform several classical productions in rotation during the spring season, leaving the remainder of the year for contemporary performances. Additionally, there has been a resurgence in encouraging student-generated work, partially due to a $1 million donation from Tony Award-winning director and alum Joe Mantello (notable graduates also include Mary-Louise Parker and Jake Lacy from the show “The White Lotus”). As Langs states, this educational establishment has shifted its focus towards preparing students for the 21st century by equipping them with the skills necessary to distribute their work across multiple platforms.

Each year, this program holds auditions for 900 students and selects approximately 30 to perform in showcases across New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and L.A. These cities send professionals from their respective industries to visit the school regularly throughout the year. The cost of tuition for in-state students is $6,497, while out-of-state students pay $24,231. However, scholarship opportunities are available.

This program conducts auditions for 900 students annually and selects around 30 to showcase their talents in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and L.A. Representatives from each city’s industry come to the school frequently throughout the year. For in-state students, tuition is $6,497, but out-of-state students pay $24,231. However, there are chances for scholarships.

Carnegie Mellon

PITTSBURGH

Carnegie Mellon University boasted over 50 graduates contributing to Broadway productions during the latest season, among them were the leading actresses from the musical “Buena Vista Social Club” – Tony award winner Natalie Venetia Belcon portraying Cuban singer Omara and Isa Antonetti as young Omara. Alumnus Leslie Odom Jr. is set to rejoin the cast of “Hamilton” this autumn, while another alum, Stephen Schwartz, composer of the hit musical “Wicked”, had an exceptionally successful year. The university’s undergraduate program, modeled after a conservatory, sees acting and music theater students studying common subjects in acting, movement, and speech before delving into more specialized areas. With the acquisition of the Purnell Center for the Arts, the program now has expanded facilities. Each year, Carnegie Mellon accepts 12 acting and 12 musical theater students, with an annual tuition fee of $67,020.

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

LONDON

As a gaming enthusiast, I find myself drawing parallels with my favorite role-playing game as I delve into the story of RADA, a prestigious theater institution that’s been shaping stars for 120 years now. Just like my character levels up in the game, students here undergo a rigorous three-year classical training program, which includes 13 stage productions, two acting showcases, five short films, and a dedicated well-being service to ensure their mental health is well taken care of.

In the coming years, RADA is set to level up itself with four new master’s courses starting in 2025, one of which will focus on playwriting. Moreover, they’re piloting short courses in New York to introduce American students to their unique training style, much like a side quest in my game.

Kenneth Branagh, a former president of RADA and a character as iconic as my gaming avatar, recently led an all-RADA cast in a production of ‘King Lear’, which moved from the West End to off-Broadway. Just like my character, they’ve managed to conquer new territories!

RADA only accepts 28 undergrads per year, making it feel like a exclusive guild in my game world. The tuition fee for international students is approximately $34,000 a year, which is the price I pay for leveling up my skills in this virtual universe.

London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

LONDON

Located on the British Isles, the oldest drama school provides three-year bachelor’s degrees in acting, along with graduate programs, including a specialization in musical theater. The institution admits 32 undergraduate acting students annually, who are split into two classes of 16 to study both classical and modern techniques, as well as utilizing LAMDA’s cutting-edge virtual production studios. Students have consistently rated the undergraduate program highly, with the school receiving top scores in the country’s national student survey for the second consecutive year, particularly for teaching quality and learning opportunities. In January, the academy expanded to New York City by establishing offices and studios, offering courses and supporting LAMDA graduates residing in the U.S. Notable alumni include John Lithgow, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Tony-nominated actress Gabby Beans. Tuition for both the undergraduate and MFA acting programs is approximately $34,000, with higher costs for other concentrations.

New York University

NEW YORK CITY

Situated in central Manhattan, NYU’s School of Tisch reaps advantages from proximity to various industry resources and seasoned professionals. Last year, they enrolled 350 freshman students who were divided into specialized studios focusing on diverse acting methods and theater firms. As a result, for the past three consecutive years, NYU Tisch has been the leading school represented on Broadway. This esteemed institution boasts accomplished alumni such as Elizabeth Olsen, Rachel Brosnahan, and Kristen Bell.

The competitive three-year graduate acting program accepts 16 students each year, and they engage in the world premieres of plays penned by renowned playwrights. This spring, NYU Tisch introduced an Innovation Studio to facilitate actors’ interactions with cutting-edge theater technology. Graduates from the school have collaborated with the new Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Center on motion capture projects.

Undergraduate tuition stands at $72,000 per year; however, students who enroll with family income below $100,000 are eligible for full four-year tuition coverage by the school. The graduate program costs $79,000 annually, but need-based scholarships are available.

University of Michigan

ANN ARBOR

This esteemed educational institution boasts one of the world’s elite musical theater programs, currently under the guidance of Cynthia Kortman Westphal, who took on the role as department chair in 2024. The school also offers a robust acting program. Graduates of this program have made their mark on Broadway, with stars like Darren Criss and Helen J. Shen gracing its stages, most recently in “Maybe Happy Ending,” which won best musical at the Tonys and earned Criss the lead actor in a musical award. Wesley Wray, who is set to graduate in 2026, has also made an impact in productions like “Buena Vista Social Club.” Other notable alumni include Ashley Park from “Emily in Paris,” Erika Henningsen from “The Four Seasons” and “Just in Time,” and Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the composers of “Dear Evan Hansen” who recently achieved the coveted EGOT status. Approximately 24 students are admitted each year into the musical theater program, with annual tuition fees amounting to $61,422 for out-of-state students and $18,104 for in-state residents.

Guildhall

LONDON

This three-year undergraduate acting program focuses on honing a student’s skills during the initial two years, delving into acting techniques such as on-camera work, physical movement, and vocal expression. The concluding year predominantly involves public performances and industry showcases, where students also craft and perform their own pieces while learning from professionals about the transition to a professional career. Each year, approximately 28 students are enrolled in this BA Acting program, who additionally get chances to collaborate with various departments and attend workshops across Europe. The tuition fee for international students is around $34,000 per year.

UC San Diego

SAN DIEGO

At UCSD, the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program offers three years of complimentary tuition and fees to its graduate students, along with the chance to participate in performances at the esteemed La Jolla Playhouse. Every other year, eight acting talents are admitted into this program, who additionally partake in productions within the school as well as the Wagner New Play Festival. This festival can be instrumental in kick-starting the careers of UCSD’s graduate playwrights, directors, and actors. As stated by Lisa Portes, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, these casting opportunities are both substantial and rigorous. Lisa Portes assumed her role as chair in 2024 and has revamped the undergraduate theater program at UCSD, with ambitions to expand the graduate acting cohorts and other disciplines gradually. Additional new recruits include accent and dialogue coach Andrea Caban and acting instructor Aysan Celik from The Civilians theater troupe.

The Old Globe and USD

SAN DIEGO

Beginning this fall, the MFA program offering free tuition will significantly increase monthly living stipends for its entire duration. This enhancement is made possible by a generous donation from philanthropist Darlene Marcos Shiley. Each year, only seven students are chosen to attend this classical training program, which collaborates with the Old Globe Theatre. Students in the program have opportunities to work on professional stage productions and travel to London for instruction from Shakespeare’s namesake and the British American Drama Academy. Recruitment of new faculty includes Sherri Barber, artistic director at Diversionary Theatre, and Jesse Marchese, development director at the theater, who will teach classes focused on text and context.

University of Southern California

LOS ANGELES

Starting from fall 2024, USC’s MFA acting program, accepting eight students annually without charging tuition, is located at the newly opened and renamed Dick Wolf Drama Center. This esteemed institution provides both graduate and undergraduate degrees, with its faculty comprised of working professionals like Wayne Brady, teaching improvisation for the camera, and Tomm Polos, guiding students on how to thrive in the creative economy. The school boasts a professional development center offering free resources such as headshots, audition preparation, and career support for students and recent graduates. Although undergraduate tuition is approximately $73,000, the school offers substantial financial aid to eligible students.

UCLA

LOS ANGELES

The Westwood-based undergraduate theater program, situated right at the heart of the entertainment industry, provides students with a bachelor’s degree in arts, specializing in acting. This includes a sequence of five quarters dedicated to acting, voice, and movement classes. Beyond performing in productions, the program adopts an interdisciplinary approach, allowing students to learn across theater, film, and television (approximately 65 students are accepted annually for all disciplines).

Currently, the master’s program is on hold and not accepting new applications. However, updates have been made to the undergraduate curriculum to offer a more structured progression in training areas and the addition of a new course on managing a theatrical season. Renowned documentary filmmaker Celine Parreñas Shimizu (creator of 2020’s “The Celine Archive”) will take over as the school’s new dean starting July 1st. The annual in-state tuition is approximately $19,500, while out-of-state tuition is around $54,000.

National Institute of Dramatic Art

KENSINGTON, AUSTRALIA

The renowned acting school where actors like Sarah Snook (recent Tony winner), Cate Blanchett, and Yerin Ha from ‘Bridgerton’ honed their skills now includes a three-year undergraduate program that emphasizes indigenous Australian culture in its training. NIDA, which also introduced a Future Centre in 2024 to facilitate the use of emerging technologies by students, follows a conservatoire style of education. They admit 24 students every year for their BFA acting course, with domestic students paying approximately $11,000 annually in tuition fees.

Columbia University

NEW YORK CITY

Famed educator Ron Van Lieu is back with the Columbia MFA program, tutoring first-year thespians while also maintaining his position at Yale. This institution thrives due to its strategic location and collaborations with neighboring theater groups and studios, along with its faculty who work in the industry. The program, overseen by an actor, Peter Jay Fernandez, and a casting director, James Calleri, emphasizes an interdisciplinary methodology that brings students from various theater fields together to foster enduring artistic connections. Starting in the autumn, there will be a new course pairing MFA actors with filmmakers. Last academic year, tuition stood at approximately $75,000 annually for the initial two years and roughly $6,000 for the third, with 16 students being admitted each year.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

CHAPEL HILL

Every other year, the MFA program at the school selects between six and eight aspiring actors to collaborate closely with the PlayMakers Repertory Company, a professional theater group, and participate in their performances. During their studies, students receive a teaching assistant package that offers a stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance benefits. Toward the end of the program, each actor is assigned a mentor, produces a showcase, and spends a week in New York for workshops with industry experts. Notable alumni include Carey Cox, a regular cast member on The Handmaid’s Tale, and Myles Bullock, who appears in the latest reboot of Prison Break.

Savannah College of Art and Design

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

The film and acting school at the undergraduate level showcases a 11-acre backlot, a multi-camera soundstage set to expand with two more by fall 2026, and a 1,200-seat theater for musical performances, enhancing its practical learning approach. Annually, SCAD acting students lead in a university-funded sitcom and participate in a horror anthology, engaging students from various fields. Furthermore, the institution boasts two professionally managed on-site casting offices, including one in Atlanta, which have assisted in placing students in productions like “Juror #2”, “May December”, “XO, Kitty” and others. The SCAD Savannah Film Festival welcomes industry professionals and Oscar winners to the student body each year, while Leslie Odom Jr. taught an acting course during the spring semester. Tuition costs $42,165 per year.

Case Western Reserve/Cleveland Play House

CLEVELAND

This Master’s degree program collaborates closely with the renowned Cleveland Play House, granting every enrolled student leading roles at the theater and membership into Actors’ Equity. The three-year course admits only eight students every two years, offering them a complete tuition exemption, healthcare coverage, and a living allowance. Throughout their studies, students receive extensive professional development and business training for two full semesters, culminating in third-year students creating and starring in their own solo shows. Beyond this, the program has been organizing showcases in New York City together with UC San Diego, also recording these showcases and distributing them to industry professionals.

Northwestern University

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS

Kathryn Hahn, Greta Lee, and current student Sarah Bock, who portrays Miss Huang in the TV show “Severance,” were all educated at a school located in the Chicago area. Many of the teachers have ties to the local theater community, particularly Steppenwolf and Broadway, where Tony Award winner KO conducts workshops for students focusing on musical theater. A new faculty member, Mark H., who specializes in American and African diasporic performance as well as physical theater, has recently joined the staff. This educational institution provides an undergraduate theater program that admits approximately 100 students annually, and a two-year graduate program, with undergraduate tuition costing around $69,000 last year.

Syracuse University

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK

As a devoted admirer, I’d share that this esteemed institution provides intensive conservatory-style training for 23 musical theater and 23 acting students annually. This training includes collaborations with the professional theater, Syracuse Stage, and offers a semester-long study in New York, Los Angeles, or London. The school is committed to broadening its offerings in acting for camera and new media, content creation, solo performance, and community-oriented theater. Beginning July 1, Eleanor Holdridge, formerly the head of the drama department at Catholic University of America, will lead our department. Undergraduate tuition stands at $66,580.

Purchase College, SUNY

PURCHASE, NEW YORK

Every year, 16 students are selected for the SUNY BFA program, a prestigious institution that has nurtured stars such as Parker Posey, Stanley Tucci, Chris Perfetti, and numerous Broadway performers. The school’s strategic location in New York City and its faculty who work in theater, film, and television contribute to its success. Students get the opportunity to be cast in at least ten productions during their education and have access to cutting-edge black box theaters, a Broadway-style performing arts center, and filmed productions. Their training culminates in a live and recorded senior showcase in New York City. The cost of attendance is around $7,000 for in-state students and $17,000 for out-of-state students. However, New York residents with an annual income below $125,000 are eligible for free tuition.

Texas State University

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS

The undergraduate musical theater course at our school doesn’t require tuition fees and typically admits around 14 students annually. Notably, many graduates from this institution—which offers an acting degree now known as a bachelor of fine arts in acting for stage and screen—have made their mark on both the big and small screens, as well as on Broadway stages. For instance, Ashlyn Maddox, who played Tina Fey and Will Forte’s daughter in Netflix’s “The Four Seasons,” and Shelby Acosta, star of “Real Women Have Curves” on Broadway, are just a few examples. Additionally, Bella Coppola, featured this season on Broadway for “Smash,” and Roberta Colindrez, who appeared in the Netflix series “Eric,” have also gained recognition. This summer, Kiira Schmidt Carper, previously a faculty member at Syracuse, will be joining our team as co-head of the musical theater program.

Elon University

ELON, NORTH CAROLINA

Each year, Elon’s robust musical theater program admits around 14 to 16 students. This program boasts numerous alumni who are currently on national tours and Broadway shows. Among these successful graduates are Taylor Trensch, a Tony nominee for this season’s “Floyd Collins,” and Grant Gustin, who led last season’s “Water for Elephants.” The university assists students in securing professional theater work during the summer and hosts a senior casting series, where the graduating class showcases their talents to top agents and casting directors from the entertainment industry. This provides valuable feedback and often leads to professional representation. Certain classes also perform filmed or New York showcases. Tuition for this program is approximately $49,000 per year.

Penn State

STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA

Numerous graduates from Penn State’s Musical Theater department have made their mark on both national tours and Broadway performances, such as Jasmine Forsberg and Maria Wirries in “Old Friends” by Stephen Sondheim, and Caroline Bowman who is currently leading the cast in “Smash”. The program accepts around 12 to 14 undergraduate students annually. Kikora Franklin, a faculty member with extensive experience as a dancer and choreographer, was appointed interim director of the school in August for a two-year term. Last year, undergraduate tuition and fees, which encompassed an acting major, were approximately $20,000 for in-state students and $42,000 for those out of state.

Rutgers University

NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY

Sebastian Stan honed his acting skills at a university in New Jersey that recently expanded its undergraduate acting program from 3.5 years to 4 years. During their fourth year, students attend London and study at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in the fall. David P. Gordon assumed leadership of the theatre department in July 2024. The institution typically enrolls about 50 students and is currently building additional performance venues for student-led productions. Being located near both New York City and New Jersey allows students to collaborate with professional artists who visit as guest speakers, as well as explore opportunities within the Big Apple. In-state tuition costs approximately $14,222, while out-of-state tuition is around $33,734.

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2025-06-23 18:56