Acting programs in California
11 colleges in California offer Acting, from certificate (1 to 2 years) to certificate (12 weeks to 1 year). The most graduates in 2023-24 came from New York Film Academy, University of Southern California, and American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles.
Updated · Sources: IPEDS 2023-24, College Scorecard
Whittle is an independent career guide, not an official website of any college listed here and not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Cost and outcome figures are U.S. Department of Education averages and may not match what you'd pay; confirm tuition, aid, and admissions with each college.
Colleges
Sorted by graduates in Acting. No college pays to be on this list or to rank higher.
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New York Film Academy
Burbank, CA · 4-year · Private for-profit
Certificate (1 to 2 years) Associate's degree Certificate (2 to 4 years) Bachelor's degree Master's degree- Average net price
- $39,011
- Graduation rate
- 68%
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $29,633
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University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA · 4-year · Private nonprofit
Bachelor's degree Master's degree- Average net price
- $32,740
- Graduation rate
- 92%
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $92,498
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American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · 2-year · Private nonprofit
Associate's degree Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) -
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA · 4-year · Private nonprofit
Bachelor's degree Master's degree- Average net price
- $46,080
- Graduation rate
- 67%
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $41,198
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Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA · 4-year · Private for-profit
Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Master's degree- Average net price
- $40,613
- Graduation rate
- 34%
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $39,008
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Chapman University
Orange, CA · 4-year · Private nonprofit
Bachelor's degree- Average net price
- $46,555
- Graduation rate
- 82%
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $70,070
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Theatre of Arts
Hollywood, CA · 2-year · Private for-profit
Associate's degree -
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · 4-year · Public
Master's degree- Average net price
- $12,470
- Graduation rate
- 86%
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $84,943
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University of San Diego
San Diego, CA · 4-year · Private nonprofit
Master's degree- Average net price
- $30,365
- Graduation rate
- 84%
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $86,522
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Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA · 4-year · Private nonprofit
Bachelor's degree- Average net price
- $58,098
- Graduation rate
- 83%
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $82,939
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Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA · 4-year · Private nonprofit
Postbaccalaureate certificate Master's degree Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year)- Average net price
- $21,413
- Graduation rate
- 53%
- Median earnings (10 yrs)
- $72,379
Program 50.0506, CIP 2020. Colleges and award levels from IPEDS 2023-24 completions; costs and outcomes from College Scorecard (June 2026).