There are billions of movies in the world today with different themes and characters. The billions of movies teach and expose different realities and possibilities of life to us. Thanks to trained individuals who have been schooled in the best acting schools in the world, we can now imagine the numerous adventures and hurdles people go through in life.
Many schools in the world offer acting programs. But in this article, we have listed some of the best, most popular, and most notable schools that are highly rated for acting and drama in the world. Some of these acting schools are located in suburbs while some are located in urban areas.
Some of the listed universities that offer acting degrees do not only offer acting programs, but they also offer other programs which are also rated highly. The schools are listed in no particular order.
1. American Conservatory Theater
Established in 1910, American Conservatory Theater is a theatre group that attracts about 50 students every year. The American Conservatory Theater is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and offers both contemporary and classical theater productions.
Tuition cost about $28,411 per year. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. About 100% of the student population has received financial aid from the school. The average financial aid that is being disbursed per year is about $21,170. American Conservatory Theater has a graduation rate of about 23% and the students to faculty ratio are 1:1.
Location: 415 Geary Street, San Francisco, California.
2. The Juilliard School
Established in 1905, the Juilliard School is a performing arts private conservatory that includes music, drama, and dance. The Juilliard school attracts about 800 students every year. The Juilliard School is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and stands as one of the most notable performing arts schools in the world.
Tuition cost about $41,022 per year. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. About 92% of the student population has received financial aid from the school. The average financial aid that is being disbursed per year is about $32,620. The Juilliard School has a low acceptance rate of 8% and a graduation rate of 94% and the students to faculty ratio are 3:1.
Location: 60 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, United States.
3. Yale University
Yale University is one of the best private research universities in the United States with over 12,000 students enrolled every year plus it has one of the best Repertory Theatre programs. Yale University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Tuition cost about $17,511 per year. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. About 61% of the student population has received financial aid from the school. The average financial aid that is being disbursed per year is about $59,134.
Alumni from Yale University usually have a median starting salary of about $65,000. Yale University is very selective about its student admissions, this earns them a low acceptance score of 7% but a high graduation rate of 97% and students to faculty ratio of 4:1.
Location: New Haven, CT 06520, United States.
4. Tisch School of the Arts (New York University)
New York University runs the best theatre program and also stands as one of the best private research universities in the United States with over 51,000 students enrolled every year. New York University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition cost about $31,598 for full-time students and $2,046 for part-time students per year. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. About 65% of the student population has received financial aid from the school. The average financial aid that is being disbursed per year is about $28,735.
Alumni from New York University usually have a median starting salary of about $61,900. New York University is selective about its student admissions, this earns them a low acceptance score of 21% but a high graduation rate of 88% and students to faculty ratio of 4:1.
Location: New York, NY 10012, United States.
5. Brown University (Department Of Theatre Arts And Performance Studies)
Established in 1764, Brown University is a private Ivy League research university with a highly rated department of Theatre arts and performance studies. The University attracts about 6,000 students every year. Brown University by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) stands as one of the most notable performing arts schools in the world.
Tuition cost about $27,659 per year. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. About 55% of the student population has received financial aid from the school. The average financial aid that is being disbursed per year is about $49,831. Brown University has a low acceptance rate of 7% and a graduation rate of 95% and the students to faculty ratio are 7:1.
Location: Providence, RI 02912, United States.
6. London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (London)
Established in 1861 by Henry Wylde, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art is a drama school and a founding member of the Federation of Drama Schools in the British Isles. The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art stands as one of the most notable performing arts schools in the world and has Benedict Cumberbatch as the Chancellor.
The academy attracts about 3,000 students every year. Tuition cost about £14,200 per year. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art offers three degrees are offered to prospective students: a three-year B.A., a two-year MFA, and a one-year M.A.
Location: 155 Talgarth Rd, London W14 9DA, United Kingdom.
7. University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Founded in 1963, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a high-rated public art school in the United States. The University attracts about 1,000 students every year. The University of North Carolina School of the Arts is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission.
Tuition cost about $11,940 per year. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. About 80% of the student population has received financial aid from the school. The average financial aid that is being disbursed per year is about $10,150. The University of North Carolina School of the Arts has a good acceptance rate of 36% and a graduation rate of 72% and the students to faculty ratio are 5:1.
Location: 1533 S Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27127, United States.
8. Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Founded in 1440, Guildhall School of Music and Drama is a high-rated public art school in London. Tuition cost about £19,640-£22,800 per year depending on the program you have chosen. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. Guildhall School of Music and Drama offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. They also offer short courses too. They have a low acceptance rate of 10% and a graduation rate of 86%.
Location: Silk St, London EC2Y 8DT, United Kingdom.
9. Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Founded in 1904, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art is one of the oldest drama schools in London. The school has Queen Elizabeth II as its royal patron and also has affiliations. Tuition cost about £9,250 per year depending on the program you have chosen. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. Royal Academy of Dramatic Art offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. They also offer short courses too. They have a low acceptance rate of 10% and a graduation rate of 86%.
Location: 62-64 Gower St, London WC1E 6ED, United Kingdom.
10. National Institute of Dramatic Arts
Founded in 1958, the National Institute of Dramatic Arts is one of the best drama schools in Australia. The school has many performance and rehearsal venues but the main campus is located in Sydney. The National Institute of Dramatic Arts offers bachelor’s, master’s, and vocational degrees in many performing arts programs.
Tuition cost about $24,000 per year but depends on the program you have chosen. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. The National Institute of Dramatic Arts has a low acceptance rate of 12%.
Location: 62-64 Gower St, London WC1E 6ED, United Kingdom.
11. Columbia University
Located in New York, Columbia University is one of the best private research universities in the United States with over 33,000 students enrolled every year. Columbia University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and has one of the best theatre art programs. Tuition cost about $22,126 per year. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students.
Columbia University has a graduation rate of 96%. Columbia University is very selective about its student admissions, this earns them a low admission score of 7%. The students to faculty ratio are 2:1. The freshman life on campus is top-rated (at 96%) and they offer online courses programs and no evening degree programs.
Location: New York, NY 10027, United States.
12. Northwestern University
Founded in 1851, Northwestern University is one of the best private research universities for acting in the United States. Northwestern University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Tuition cost about $28,344 per year. They also offer financial aid to economically disadvantaged students. About 66% of the student population has received financial aid from the school. The average financial aid that is being disbursed per year is about $50,310.
Northwestern University has a graduation rate of 95% and is very selective about its student admissions, this earns them a low admission rate of 9%. The students to faculty ratio are 3:1.
Location: 633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208, United States.
13. Toronto Film School
The Toronto Film School is one of the best schools in Canada that offer a creative diploma in a range of subjects like film and TV production, interior decorating, writing movie scripts, and more. Studying at the Toronto Film School can take between one to two years of completion. Toronto Film School has 4 campuses and tuition ranges from $22,980 – $35,158 (Canadian dollars).
Location: 460 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1W9, Canada.
14. Beijing Film Academy
The Beijing Film Academy stands as the most notable film academy in China and the biggest in all of Asia. The school offers a BFA taught in English and an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in many areas of film production. Beijing Film Academy also offers correspondence courses, night school courses, and vocational courses. Every year, over 30,000 students apply and about 500 students are accepted. Tuition is about 51,000 Chinese yuan.
Location: 8 Xitucheng Rd, Hai Dian Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100088.
15. The Film and Television Institute of India
The Film and Television Institute of India is a notable acting school in India that was established in 1960. The school is a member of the International Liaison Centre of Schools of Cinema and Television (CILECT) and was founded by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India. The school offers a 1 – 2 year course in the many film-related courses like acting, script writing, animation, directing, video editing, and many more. Tuition is about 127,950 Indian Rupee.
Location: No.11, Law College Rd, Shanti Sheela Society, Erandwane, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the best acting school in the world?
It can be hard to tell which school is the best acting school in the world. But a few of the highly rated acting schools are the Juilliard school, the American Conservatory Theatre, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and the Beijing Film Academy.
2. Which country is best for an acting school?
Some of the countries that have the best acting schools include the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
3. Is acting a good career?
Acting as a good career that helps you harness your talents, learn new things, meet new and interesting people, become a star, and travel to many places while making money.
Conclusion
Acting is functional and has to do with an individual telling a story and living out the life of a fictional character. It stands as a means of educating people, exposing the ills of a nation, entertainment, and also a good way to earn a living. Many acting schools offer diplomas for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The schools also offer many other courses that can help the film industries expand.
References
- “The World’s 25 Best Drama Schools, Ranked“. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
- “Top Film Schools Around the World“. Top Universities. Retrieved on 18 July 2022.
- “Where Actors Studied Acting”. The Actors Place. Retrieved on 18 July 2022.
- “Study acting abroad“. Studee. Retrieved on 18 July 2022.
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