Best Acting Programs in California
Explore the top 102 Acting programs in California. Compare acceptance rates, tuition costs, class sizes, and audition requirements to find the right fit for you.
Ranked by program fit, selectiveness, class size, value, outcomes, and data quality
1
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 10%Tuition: $72KAvg GPA: 3.86 (W)Selectiveness: Ultra SelectiveClass Size: Small
Acceptance: 10%Tuition: $72KGPA: 3.86 (W)Selectiveness: Ultra SelectiveClass Size: Small
2
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 52%Tuition: $59KAvg GPA: 4.02 (W)Selectiveness: Ultra SelectiveClass Size: Very Small
Acceptance: 52%Tuition: $59KGPA: 4.02 (W)Selectiveness: Ultra SelectiveClass Size: Very Small
3
California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 91%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.43 (W)Selectiveness: Highly SelectiveClass Size: Medium
Acting, Devised Performance/Physical Theatre
Acceptance: 91%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.43 (W)Selectiveness: Highly SelectiveClass Size: Medium
4
Chapman University
Orange, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 65%Tuition: $65KAvg GPA: 3.75 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
Acceptance: 65%Tuition: $65KGPA: 3.75 (W)Selectiveness: SelectiveClass Size: Small
5
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 32%Tuition: $59KSelectiveness: Highly SelectiveClass Size: Small
Acceptance: 32%Tuition: $59KSelectiveness: Highly SelectiveClass Size: Small
6
Cañada College
Redwood City, CA·Public
Tuition: $11KClass Size: Small
Tuition: $11KClass Size: Small
7
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 45%Tuition: $62KAvg GPA: 3.97 (W)Selectiveness: —Class Size: Very Small
Acceptance: 45%Tuition: $62KGPA: 3.97 (W)Selectiveness: —Class Size: Very Small
8
University of California - San Diego
San Diego, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 27%Tuition: $51KAvg GPA: 3.9 (W)Selectiveness: —Class Size: —
Acceptance: 27%Tuition: $51KGPA: 3.9 (W)Selectiveness: —Class Size: —
9
University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 9%Tuition: $49KAvg GPA: 3.93 (W)
Acting
Acceptance: 9%Tuition: $49KGPA: 3.93 (W)
10
University of California - Irvine
Irvine, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 29%Tuition: $50KAvg GPA: 4 (W)Selectiveness: —Class Size: —
Acting
Acceptance: 29%Tuition: $50KGPA: 4 (W)Selectiveness: —Class Size: —
11
Chabot College
Hayward, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Acting
Tuition: $9K
12
Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Acting
Tuition: $13K
13
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Acting and Performance
Tuition: $12K
14
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
15
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Acting
Tuition: $12K
16
Stanford University
Stanford, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 4%Tuition: $66KAvg GPA: 3.94 (W)
BA Theater and Performance StudiesActing
Acceptance: 4%Tuition: $66KGPA: 3.94 (W)
17
San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
18
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Acting
Tuition: $11K
19
Pomona College
Claremont, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 7%Tuition: $65KAvg GPA: 4.11 (W)
Performance Studies
Acceptance: 7%Tuition: $65KGPA: 4.11 (W)
20
California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 46%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.67 (W)
Performance: Acting Option
Acceptance: 46%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.67 (W)
21
University of California - Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 33%Tuition: $51K
Acting
Acceptance: 33%Tuition: $51K
22
University of California - Berkeley
Berkeley, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 11%Tuition: $51K
Acceptance: 11%Tuition: $51K
23
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Acting
Acting
Tuition: $12K
24
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Acting Performance
Tuition: $13K
25
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Theatre Performance
Acting Emphasis
Tuition: $11K
26
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Performance and Acting
Tuition: $12K
27
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Acting
Acting
Tuition: $11K
28
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Acting
Tuition: $10K
29
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Television Performance, Theatre and Television Acting
Tuition: $12K
30
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Acting
Tuition: $10K
31
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Actors
Tuition: $12K
32
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 36%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.84 (W)
Performance
Acceptance: 36%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.84 (W)
33
Citrus College
Glendora, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Acting
Tuition: $11K
34
Solano Community College
Fairfield, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Acting
Tuition: $10K
35
San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Acting
Tuition: $10K
36
Ohlone College
Fremont, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
37
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Acting & Directing
Tuition: $13K
38
Glendale Community College
Glendale, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Acting
Tuition: $11K
39
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Acting
Tuition: $10K
40
American River College
Sacramento, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Acting
Tuition: $13K
41
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Acting Academy
Tuition: $13K
42
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Acting
Tuition: $9K
43
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA·Public
Tuition: $1K
Tuition: $1K
44
University of California - Davis
Davis, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 42%Tuition: $51KAvg GPA: 4.04 (W)
BA Theatre & Dance
Acceptance: 42%Tuition: $51KGPA: 4.04 (W)
45
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Acting
Tuition: $11K
46
El Camino College
Torrance, CA·Public
Tuition: $8K
Tuition: $8K
47
Monterey Peninsula College
Monterey, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Actor Training
Tuition: $11K
48
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
49
MiraCosta College
Oceanside, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
50
Yuba College
Marysville, CA·Public
Tuition: $8K
Tuition: $8K
51
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
52
City College of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA·Public
Tuition: $15K
Tuition: $15K
53
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
54
Modesto Junior College
Modesto, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
55
Crafton Hills College
Yucaipa, CA·Public
Tuition: $15K
Performance
Tuition: $15K
56
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
57
Riverside City College
Riverside, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
58
College of Marin
Kentfield, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
59
San Diego City College
San Diego, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
60
Merced College
Merced, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
61
Fresno City College
Fresno, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
62
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Pomona, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 75%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.69 (W)
Acting
Acceptance: 75%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.69 (W)
63
Cabrillo College
Aptos, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
64
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
65
California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 91%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.25 (W)
Performance
Acceptance: 91%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.25 (W)
66
Laney College
Oakland, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
67
New York Film Academy - Los Angeles
Burbank, CA·Private
Tuition: $37K
Tuition: $37K
68
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Acting
Tuition: $9K
69
California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.33 (W)
Acting & Directing
Acceptance: 93%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.33 (W)
70
Ventura College
Ventura, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Performance
Tuition: $10K
71
California State University - Sacramento
Sacramento, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.41 (W)
Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.41 (W)
72
California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.5 (W)
BA Theatre
Acceptance: 94%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.5 (W)
73
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
74
Folsom Lake College
Folsom, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Acting
Tuition: $13K
75
California State University - San Marcos
San Marcos, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $21KAvg GPA: 3.34 (W)
BA Theatre
Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $21KGPA: 3.34 (W)
76
California State University - Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA·Public
School Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $20KAvg GPA: 3.22 (W)
Acceptance: 95%Tuition: $20KGPA: 3.22 (W)
77
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 44%Tuition: $66KAvg GPA: 3.61 (W)
Acceptance: 44%Tuition: $66KGPA: 3.61 (W)
78
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
79
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
80
Cypress College
Cypress, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Acting
Tuition: $12K
81
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
82
Napa Valley College
Napa, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Acting
Tuition: $12K
83
Antelope Valley Community College District
Lancaster, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
84
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
85
Shasta College
Redding, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
AA-T Theatre Arts
Tuition: $9K
86
Mt. San Jacinto College
San Jacinto, CA·Public
Tuition: $13K
Tuition: $13K
87
Southwestern College
Chula Vista, CA·Public
Tuition: $11KAvg GPA: 3.28 (W)
Tuition: $11KGPA: 3.28 (W)
88
Butte College
Oroville, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
89
Evergreen Valley College
San Jose, CA·Public
Tuition: $9K
Tuition: $9K
90
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
91
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 85%Tuition: $41KAvg GPA: 3.44 (W)
Performance for Stage and Screen
Acceptance: 85%Tuition: $41KGPA: 3.44 (W)
92
Biola University
La Mirada, CA·Private
School Acceptance: 74%Tuition: $49KAvg GPA: 3.63 (W)
Acting for Stage and Screen
Acceptance: 74%Tuition: $49KGPA: 3.63 (W)
93
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
94
Los Angeles Southwest College
Los Angeles, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
95
San Jose City College
San Jose, CA·Public
Tuition: $12K
Tuition: $12K
96
College of the Desert
Palm Desert, CA·Public
Tuition: $10K
Tuition: $10K
97
West Los Angeles College
Culver City, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
AA Theater Arts
Tuition: $11K
98
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
99
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
100
Los Angeles Mission College
Sylmar, CA·Public
Tuition: $11K
Tuition: $11K
101
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA·Private
Tuition: $31K
BFA Acting
Tuition: $31K
102
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA·Public
Tuition: $14K
Tuition: $14K
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Other Disciplines in California
Costume Design (28)Dance (62)Directing (2)Lighting Design (28)Musical Theatre (22)Playwriting (2)Production Technology (25)Projection & Media Design (29)Scenic Design (28)Sound Design (28)Stage Management (26)Technical Direction (26)Theatre & Drama (114)Theatre Education (3)Voice (64)Wig & Makeup Design (2)
