Best Acting Schools in USA

USA has given some of the greatest actors, directors, playwrights in the world. The USA’s film and television industry are one of the largest employers and diverse industries in the country today. Undoubtedly, it is home to some of the finest acting schools and remains one of the best countries for international students who wish to study drama, theatre and fine arts to spur their career in the world of entertainment. If you are looking for acting courses in the land of Hollywood then keep reading because, in this blog, we will cover all the best acting schools in USA!  

Also Read: Best Film Schools in the World

The 5 Best Acting Schools in USA

Let’s look at some of the best acting schools in the USA that have honed the greatest actors in the world- 

1. Tisch School of the Arts, NYU

Tisch School of the Arts, NYU is one of the most competitive acting schools in New York, USA. It offers a bunch of programmes in performing arts, from dance to drama to acting, directing, cinematic studies, public policy and management for high schoolers, undergraduates, graduates and professionals. It is well-known for teaching and guiding actors, singers and directors like Martin Scorsee, Spike Lee, Alec Baldwin and Lady Gaga! 

Tuition: 

• $59,332 (INR 44,13,128) for undergraduate programs
• $65,408 (INR 48,65,063) for graduate programs

Alumni: Dee Rees, Winter’s Bone director Debra Granik, Ang Lee, Sam Esmail

2. American Film Institute

The American Film Institute is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to celebrating excellence in the art form and to creating national education initiatives that inspire artists and audiences alike. This past year, AFI conducted Zoom Master Seminars led by the likes of Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee and David Fincher, and Oscar-winning screenwriter Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, 2021’s Dune) joined the faculty. In addition, the newly established Lawrence Herbert Alumni Center will assist students in gaining an industry foothold, while scholarship funding was at an all-time high, with a recent $5 million contribution from the estate of Jerry Perenchio in support of diverse students.

Tuition: $59,951 (INR 44,59,170)

Alumni: Patty Jenkins, Melina Matsoukas, David Lynch

3. USC School of Cinematic Arts

The USC School of Cinematic Arts has nurtured and inspired the writers, directors, scholars, entrepreneurs, producers, animators, interactive designers and others who have developed an unparalleled mastery in cinema, television and new media. Their programs provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity for international students, from regions as diverse as Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, to explore and expand their creative potential.

Tuition:

• $60,446 (INR 44,95,988) for undergraduate program
• $39,900 (INR 29,67,771) for graduate program

Alumni: Judd Apatow, Jon M. Chu, America Ferrera

4. Chapman university’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts

Chapman’s personalized education gives each student a unique opportunity to become an original thinker who rises to the world’s challenges. Their inclusive, empowering community fosters creative thinking and expression of all perspectives. Chapman’s campus is a perfect size—not too big, not too small—allowing for effective, innovative programs to be a focal point of our institution. The mission of Chapman University is to provide personalized education of distinction that leads to inquiring, ethical and productive lives as global citizens

Tuition:

• $58,250 (INR 43,32,649) for undergraduate program
• $48,336-$58,250 (INR 35,95,243 – INR 43,32,649) for postgraduate program

Alumni: The Duffer brothers, Justin Simien, Everything Sucks! creator Ben York Jones

5. Columbia University

One of the nation’s most expensive film programs produces talent that works across the commercial (longtime superhero filmmakers James Mangold and Simon Kinberg are alums) and fine arts space. While its graduate programs are the ones that focus on practical filmmaking, undergraduate film studies majors, who focus on academic theory, often work on graduate student film sets to gain on-set experience. The School is a thriving, diverse community of talented, visionary, and committed artists from around the world and a faculty comprised of acclaimed and internationally renowned artists, film and theatre directors, writers of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, playwrights, producers, critics, and scholars. 

Tuition:

$60,514 (INR 45,01,046) for Undergraduate

$73,240 (INR 54,47,609) for Postgraduate

Alumni: Disney Animation chief Jennifer Lee, Kathryn Bigelow

Explore: Film Making Courses 

Acting Courses in USA

• Theatre Arts & Performance Studies
• Bachelor of Fine Arts 
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting
• Bachelor of Acting
• Bachelor of Film, Television and Digital Media 
• Bachelor of Theatre and Dance
• Master of Fine Arts
• Theater and Drama Studies
• MA in Performing Arts 
• MA in Dramatic Arts 
• MA in Contemporary Theatre 
• MA in Film Studies 
• MA in Costume Designing 
• MFA in Acting
• Master of Film, Television and Digital Media 

Must Read: Best Film Schools in Europe

Acting is a diverse profession and thousands of individuals strive to make a mark in this creative industry every year. It remains one of the most competitive industries in the world as well as the most lucrative career choice. If you are someone looking for a career in acting, then contact our experts at Leverage Edu to shortlist the best acting schools in USA and in the world.