100 Best Acting (Performing arts/Drama theatre) schools in the United States

Ranking by academic field

Below is the list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Performing arts. A graph of 94.9K citations received by 15.8K academic papers made by 255 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

Please note that our approach to topical rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science profiles.

1. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Performing arts

#3 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 70%

2. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Performing arts

#4 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,037

3. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Performing arts

#5 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 84%

4. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Performing arts

#6 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

5. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Performing arts

#7 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $17,511

6. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Performing arts

#8 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $45,417

7. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Performing arts

#9 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $39,759

8. University of Texas at Austin

For Performing arts

#10 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 66%

9. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Performing arts

#11 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Receiving Aid: 73%
Average Aid: $15,461
Enrollment: 44,589

10. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Performing arts

#12 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Average SAT: 1355
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 92%

11. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Performing arts

#13 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $11,161
Enrollment: 37,236

12. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Performing arts

#14 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $20,023

13. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Performing arts

#15 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Receiving Aid: 73%
Average Aid: $8,719
Enrollment: 40,363

14. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Performing arts

#17 in North America

#35 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 73%

15. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Performing arts

#19 in North America

#38 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 58%

16. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Performing arts

#20 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 96%

17. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Performing arts

#21 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Average SAT: 1327
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 56%

18. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Performing arts

#22 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1515
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,126

19. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Performing arts

#23 in North America

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1420
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 63%

20. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Performing arts

#24 in North America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1200
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 71%

21. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Performing arts

#25 in North America

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Average SAT: 1430
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 66%

22. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Performing arts

#26 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 64%

23. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Performing arts

#27 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1515
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $24,167

24. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Performing arts

#28 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,685

25. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Performing arts

#29 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1210
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 94%

26. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Performing arts

#30 in North America

#63 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $36,983

27. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Performing arts

#31 in North America

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 67%

28. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Performing arts

#33 in North America

#70 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $28,344

29. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Performing arts

#34 in North America

#71 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 93%

30. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Performing arts

#35 in North America

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1350
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

31. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Performing arts

#36 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 66%

32. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Performing arts

#38 in North America

#80 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1140
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 96%

33. San Jose State University

California | San Jose

For Performing arts

#39 in North America

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1125
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 72%

34. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Performing arts

#40 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

35. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Performing arts

#41 in North America

#86 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $25,672

36. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Performing arts

#42 in North America

#93 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,998

37. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Performing arts

#43 in North America

#94 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $36,584

38. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Performing arts

#44 in North America

#95 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 77%

39. Ohio University

For Performing arts

#45 in North America

#96 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 95%

40. Illinois Wesleyan University

Illinois | Bloomington

For Performing arts

#46 in North America

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1200
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $32,545

41. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Performing arts

#47 in North America

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1200
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 75%

42. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Performing arts

#49 in North America

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 60%

43. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Performing arts

#50 in North America

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 90%

44. Fordham University

New York State | New York City

For Performing arts

#51 in North America

#111 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $41,569

45. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Performing arts

#52 in North America

#113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $30,192

46. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Performing arts

#54 in North America

#119 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Net Price: $47,177
Receiving Aid: 88%
Average Aid: $25,864

47. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Performing arts

#55 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1145
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 95%

48. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Performing arts

#56 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

49. University of Arkansas

Arkansas | Fayetteville

For Performing arts

#57 in North America

#122 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 87%

50. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Performing arts

#58 in North America

#123 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1515
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,241

51. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Performing arts

#59 in North America

#125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1195
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 85%

52. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Performing arts

#60 in North America

#128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 74%

53. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Performing arts

#61 in North America

#129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 67%

54. College of William and Mary

Virginia | Williamsburg

For Performing arts

#62 in North America

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 54%

55. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Performing arts

#63 in North America

#132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 61%

56. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Performing arts

#64 in North America

#133 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $27,233

57. Brigham Young University - Provo

For Performing arts

#66 in North America

#138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $13,150

58. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Performing arts

#67 in North America

#142 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 93%

59. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Performing arts

#68 in North America

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

60. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Performing arts

#69 in North America

#150 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $40,308

61. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Performing arts

#70 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1200
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 85%

62. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Performing arts

#71 in North America

#159 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average SAT: 1332
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 78%

63. Texas Tech University

Texas | Lubbock

For Performing arts

#72 in North America

#163 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1155
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 86%

64. Bowling Green State University

Ohio | Bowling Green

For Performing arts

#74 in North America

#166 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1115
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 95%

65. Saint Louis University

Missouri | St. Louis

For Performing arts

#75 in North America

#167 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $27,872

66. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Performing arts

#76 in North America

#169 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,932

67. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Performing arts

#77 in North America

#170 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $25,804

68. University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Nevada | Las Vegas

For Performing arts

#79 in North America

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1140
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 96%

69. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Performing arts

#80 in North America

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 93%

70. DePauw University

Indiana | Greencastle

For Performing arts

#81 in North America

#179 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $30,183

71. University of Louisville

Kentucky | Louisville

For Performing arts

#82 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

72. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Performing arts

#83 in North America

#183 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 91%

73. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Performing arts

#84 in North America

#185 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $29,154

74. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Performing arts

#88 in North America

#193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $27,522

75. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Performing arts

#89 in North America

#195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 94%

76. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Performing arts

#90 in North America

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1222
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 91%

77. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Performing arts

#91 in North America

#200 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 93%

78. University of St Thomas - Minnesota

Minnesota | Saint Paul

For Performing arts

#92 in North America

#206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $31,799

79. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Performing arts

#94 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Average SAT: 1430
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $36,002

80. Kent State University at Kent

For Performing arts

#95 in North America

#214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1115
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

81. Northern Illinois University

Illinois | DeKalb

For Performing arts

#96 in North America

#217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 59%
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $11,848
Enrollment: 16,769

82. University of Montana

Montana | Missoula

For Performing arts

#98 in North America

#219 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1145
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 90%

83. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Performing arts

#99 in North America

#223 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $30,710

84. San Diego State University

California | San Diego

For Performing arts

#100 in North America

#224 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1195
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 61%

85. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Performing arts

#101 in North America

#225 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,720

86. Marquette University

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Performing arts

#102 in North America

#226 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $34,732

87. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Performing arts

#103 in North America

#227 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 74%

88. University of Richmond

Virginia | Richmond

For Performing arts

#104 in North America

#228 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $25,700

89. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Performing arts

#105 in North America

#231 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 67%

90. Northeastern University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Performing arts

#106 in North America

#237 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $37,738

91. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Performing arts

#107 in North America

#238 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1210
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 87%

92. University of Oregon

Oregon | Eugene

For Performing arts

#108 in North America

#239 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1190
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 89%

93. Loyola University Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Performing arts

#109 in North America

#242 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $37,731

94. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Performing arts

#110 in North America

#246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 87%

95. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Performing arts

#111 in North America

#248 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $27,659

96. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Performing arts

#113 in North America

#253 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 96%
Average SAT: 1175
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 95%

97. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Performing arts

#116 in North America

#256 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 95%

98. Southern Illinois University - Carbondale

Illinois | Carbondale

For Performing arts

#118 in North America

#261 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1055
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 97%

99. Florida Atlantic University

Florida | Boca Raton

For Performing arts

#119 in North America

#264 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1140
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 87%

100. California State University - Long Beach

California | Long Beach

For Performing arts

#120 in North America

#265 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 80%

The best cities to study Performing arts in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Champaign, Cambridge, Columbus, and Bloomington.