Whether you are searching for an acting program or a school to take some classes, we have compiled what we believe to be the most detailed and comprehensive list for actors looking for a place to train in New York City. This is the home of Broadway and has been the heart of acting in America for generations. The acting schools of NYC have produced some of the biggest names in the industry, which makes finding one that stands out from the rest a challenge. The following New York acting schools are the ones with the most notable alumni as well as the most celebrated programs, and it is difficult to say which one is the best. Some are more renowned, and some have seen more students reach higher tiers of success. We have done incredibly thorough research so that you don’t have to. Everything from training, tuition, financial aid, alumni and more was taken into account when deciding our rankings. We hope you enjoy this list of the best acting programs and schools in New York.
New York Acting BFA/BA Programs
1. Juilliard BFA Acting
No list of the best acting schools in NY would be complete without mentioning The Juilliard School. It is one of the most prolific music, dance and acting schools devoted to producing performers who excel at their craft. Julliard has successfully integrated a number of performance opportunities for their students, directed by top faculty and guest members to give students a seamless transition into working life. Alumni from this school include Robin Williams, Adam Driver, and Laura Linney.
Overal Score 4.3/5*
| Criteria | Results (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 1% |
| Tuition | $53,300 |
| Financial Situation | Juilliard tuition is on the high side and though the school tends to give out aid to most of its incoming class, loans in the tens of thousands are likely. 3/5 |
| Alumni | Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Laura Linney, Corey Hawkins 5/5 |
| Training | 5/5 |
Through four years of highly specificied training in Linklater, Alexander, Masks/Clown, Singing and Physical Transformation, Juilliard seeks to assess and improve every part of the actor’s instrument while providing a toolbox of skills to foster presence, reliable instincts and naturalism. Actors are assigned casting in their third and fourth years with plenty of opportunities to perform. Acting for Camera training has been increased in recent years. 8-10 BFA students share their class with 8-10 MFA students.
2. Fordham Theater BA Theatre Performance
Through the study of Stanislavksi in conversation with contemporary, classical and surrealist texts, Fordham actors are asked to stretch their imaginations with a toolbox of techniques and focus on action work. Linklater is covered in vocal classes while Alexander and Butoh make up the majority of movement teaching. Advanced courses include Clown, Acting for the Camera and Shakespeare. Performance opportunities include four mainstage production, 8-12 studio productions and additional original work festivals every year. Being a BA program, students are asked to contextualize stories in wider social contexts and history while also completing general education requirements. Actors may find additional interest in Directing or Playwriting training.
Overal Score 4.3/5*
| Criteria | Results (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 6% |
| Tuition | $56,920 |
| Financial Situation | Like all NYC private universities, the Fordham price tag is high but the department is known for giving large scholarships, sometimes covering 100% of tuition costs and providing significant aid to a large portion of the incoming class. 5/5 |
| Alumni | Denzel Washington, Patricia Clarkson, Betty Gilpin, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Tommy Dorfman, Taylor Schilling 4/5 |
| Training | 4/5 |
3. NYU Tisch BFA Acting
Accepted students are initally placed into one of six studios, focusing on a specific acting technique, ranging from Meisner to Stanislavski to film specific techniques. Students remain in that studio for the first two years and move to another studio in their third year. In addition to the necessary training in scene study, voice and movement, students also learn how theater is contextualized through history, different socieconomic lenses and in other parts of the world. There are a fair amount of academic requirements for a BFA program, which sometimes leaves students with an entire year to knock those courses out of the way, sans training. Performance opportunities are dictated by the studio, which is not known until after acceptance of an admissions offer.
Overal Score 3.3/5*
| Criteria | Results (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 27% |
| Tuition | $66,388 |
| Financial Situation | NYU’s price tag is even higher than other NYC private universities and here’s the catch – they give even less aid. With an incoming class of somewhere between 350-400 students, generous scholarships are sparse. 2/5 |
| Alumni | 5 – Philip Seymour Hoffman, Donald Glover, Aubrey Plaza, Pedro Pascal, Stephani Hsu, Miles Teller 5/5 |
| Training | 3/5 |
4. PACE BFA Acting
The first two years of scene study take a Stanislavski approach to contemporary texts. The third year focuses in on the classical while adding multiple courses in acting for the camera. Fourth year students travel to LA to work further with industry professionals. In addition to voice and movement training, acting students take classes in singing and musical theatre, and can be certified in stage combat. Performance opportunities include 8 mainstage productions a year and two original works festivals, however, casting is not assigned.
Overal Score 3.3/5*
| Criteria | Results (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 3% |
| Tuition | $54,550 |
| Financial Situation | PACE offers about 50% of the tuition to most of its incoming class but higher scholarships are offered on a case-by-case need basis – another $15,000 or so must be factored in for room and board. 3/5 |
| Alumni | Dominique Fishback, Michelle Borth, Vincent Pastore, Christopher Briney 3/5 |
| Training | 4/5 |
5. CUNY Brooklyn College BFA Acting
Accepting a small class of only 10-12 students each year, the program cultivates a close-knit community of collaborative artists. Brooklyn provides intensive training in a variety of acting techniques, detailed speech and dialect work and American and World Theatre History. Advanced acting courses include Clown, Shakespeare, Camera and Solo performance. The department produces eight to ten productions a year, in conjunction with BA and MFA theatre students, and tends to program a very impressive mix of contemporary plays and relevant classical texts. Connections to Brooklyn film schools and young filmmakers provide many extra opportunities to work on camera. The student body is among the most diverse in the country and the faculty reflects that diversity
Overal Score 3/5*
| Criteria | Results (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 8% |
| Tuition | In- State $7,440, Out-of-State $15,390 |
| Financial Situation | Being a state school, CUNY doesn’t provide a large amount of aid but is fairly equal to the price tag one might have after receiving scholarships from private institutions. 4/5 |
| Alumni | Mel Brooks, Sarah Benson, Dominic Chianese, Steve Schirripa 2/5 |
| Training | 3/5 |
6. Marymount Manhattan BFA Acting
In addition to the beginning scene study courses, the actring track requires particular focus on Shakespeare and eventually, leaves room for the individual actor to pursue particular techniques they wish to study. The program is more literary than other BFAs, requiring multiple courses in analysis, stagecraft, and a course in directing. Actors with interest in directing, playwriting and dramaturgy should give the program a look. Voice and movement training is provided but there are considerably less courses for study than other programs. There are six mainstage productions a year in addition to directing and playwriting projects.
Overal Score 2.66/5*
| Criteria | Results (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 20% |
| Tuition | $38,400 |
| Financial Situation | Marymount costs less than the other private institutions but offers less aid. Loans are inevitable unless your college fund is hefty. 2/5 |
| Alumni | Annaleigh Ashford, Adrienne Warren, James Cusati-Moyer, Matthew Rodrigues 3/5 |
| Training | 3/5 |
New York Drama Graduate/Masters Programs
1. Yale (David Geffen School of Drama) MFA Acting
While providing strong voice and movement training throughout all three years, scene study curriculum evolves over time: contemporary works in the first year, heightened language and verse drama in the second year, and finally, surrealist texts and multiple camera courses in the third year. Developing character and a spirit of play are central focuses throughout, especially with the introduction of commedia and clown work in the second year. All casting is assigned and includes new plays from student playwrights, student directors thesis’ productions and classical rep projects. In addition, students will understudy or be cast in the Yale Rep season, as well as have opportunities to perform in the extracurricular, student-run Yale Cabaret season.
Overal Score 5/5*
| Criteria | Results (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 1.5% |
| Tuition | Tuition Free |
| Financial Situation | Thanks to a generous donation by David Geffen, Yale Drama (or DGSD) is now free for all students. Living costs are upwards of $10,000 a year but some housing aid is available as well. 5/5 |
| Alumni | Meryl Streep, Lupita N’yongo, Frances Mcdormand, Paul Giamatti, Brian Tyree Henry, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II 5/5 |
| Training | 5/5 |
2. NYU MFA Acting
Mask work, Alexander, Voice & Speech, Yoga and Combat are taught every year. The first year focuses on releasing vocal and physical tension, fostering natural instincts and working with Shakespeare. The second year provides multiple current and contemporary scene studies/projects and a delve into filmmaking studies. The final year combines professional preparation with focuses in musical theatre, original work (in conjunction with The Public and Dramatic Writing MFA) and acting for the camera training. Casting is assigned to stretch actors. Most of the teachers work with students through all three years and Tisch’s Graduate Film MFA partners with the program in the production of student films ~ “We won’t teach you how to act, but we will help you to expand what you know you already have”
Overal Score 4.66/5*
| Criteria | Results (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 1.5% |
| Tuition | $73,698 |
| Financial Situation | The NYU grad price remains high, but in recent years the program has averaged a baseline of 80% off for most students, with some receiving full rides and every student receiving upwards of 90% off in their final year. 4/5 |
| Alumni | Mahershala Ali, Debra Messing, Billy Crudup, Sterling K Brown, Marcia Gay Harden, Michael C Hall 5/5 |
| Training | 5/5 |
3. Juilliard MFA Acting
Through four years of highly specificied training in Linklater, Alexander, Masks/Clown, Singing and Physical Transformation, Juilliard seeks to assess and improve every part of the actor’s instrument while providing a toolbox of skills to foster presence, reliable instincts and naturalism. Actors are assigned casting in their third and fourth years with plenty of opportunities to perform. Acting for Camera training has been increased in focus in recent years. 8-10 MFA students share their class with 8-10 BFA students. Instead of taking the undergraduate academic requirements, MFA students receive additional courses in writing, directing and pedagogy.
Overal Score 4.33/5*
| Criteria | Results (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 1.5% |
| Tuition | $53,300 |
| Financial Situation | Juilliard tuition is on the high side and though the school tends to give out aid to most of its incoming class, loans in the tens of thousands are likely. However, the fourth year is free for MFA students. 3/5 |
| Alumni | Jessica Chastain, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Viola Davis, Laura Linney, Corey Hawkins 5/5 |
| Training | 5/5 |
4. Columbia MFA Acting
Movement classes cover Alexander, Feldenkrais, Suzuki and Stage Combat. Voice classes focus on releasing tension, accessing natural breath, working with different speech patterns and dialects and tackling heightened language. Film training is strong between on-camera courses, opportunities with the MFA film department and the guidance of casting director and head of program, James Calleri. All casting is assigned. The third year provides constant opportunities to prepare for the professional world between the showcase, workshops with casting directors and the creation of a sizzle reel. Columbia is an conservatory leader in the transition from school to the profession.
Overal Score 3.66/5*
| Criteria | Results (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 2% |
| Tuition | $75,977 Year 1-2, $15,767 Year 3 |
| Financial Situation | The first two years of Columbia are on the high end for price and aid vastly varies from student to student. However, the final year clocks in at a much smaller sum. 3/5 |
| Alumni | Marcel Spears, Rebecca Henderson, Kristin Dodson, Tamera Tomakili 3/5 |
| Training | 5/5 |
New York Acting Classes/Schools
| Larry Moss Studios Moss began his career at New York’s famed cabaret Upstairs at the Downstairs and went on to appear on Broadway in numerous productions including Joe Layton’s Drat! The Cat!,Neil Simon’s God’s Favorite, directed by Michael Bennett, Burt Shevelove’s So Long 174th Street, Gerald Freedman’s The Robber Bridegroom, and Gene Saks’ I Love My Wife. After teaching in New York at Juilliard and Circle in the Square, he moved to Los Angeles and founded The Larry Moss® Studio. MORE INFO |
The Karl Bury Studio Karl received his Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA under Jack Clay. He began his teaching career there, teaching undergraduate acting. Upon graduation, he headed to Los Angeles to begin his career in television and film. In 1996, Karl found his creative home with Larry Moss at the Larry Moss Studio and has studied with him ever since. MORE INFO |
Bob Krakower Studio Bob Krakower is a highly recognized acting teacher and coach, considered to be one of the best in his field. His career journey started as a graduate of Tufts University, later teaching at institutions such as the American Conservatory Theater, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Brown, NYU, Harvard, and Yale. His clients include actors who have been nominated for Academy, Emmy, and Tony awards, and he has worked with several studios, networks, theater companies, and producers. Krakower’s expertise extends beyond teaching to include film and television. His keen eye for talent led to a job in casting at ABC, where he worked on over 50 projects including “NYPD Blue,” “My So-Called Life,” “Arliss,” “All That,” and “Varsity Blues” MORE INFO |
Terry Knickerbocker Studio Terry Knickerbocker Studio is a professional acting conservatory based in New York City, renowned for its five-semester-long flagship program, centered around the Meisner technique. The studio is also known for its Acting Intensive courses, offered every Spring, Fall, and Summer, and for a wide range of elective classes including Voice Acting classes, Shakespeare, Stage Combat, and many more MORE INFO |
William Esper Studio The William Esper Studio is an internationally renowned institution dedicated to the arts, particularly to the teaching and application of the Sanford Meisner acting technique. The studio was founded in 1965 by William Esper, an authority on Meisner’s work, in Manhattan, New York. The William Esper Studio was recognized as one of the top 25 best drama schools for a Master of Fine Arts multiple times. MORE INFO |
HB Studio Another of the New York acting schools focused on theatre performances, HB Studio draws its approach from traditional European techniques of theatre, with courses run by practicing theatre artists. Working in partnership with the HB Playwrights Foundation and Theatre, HB Studio draws in many working professionals, giving students an opportunity to learn from the best role models. Alumni from the studio include Christopher Abbott, Al Pacino, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Matthew Broderick. MORE INFO |
Stella Adler Studio of Acting The Stella Adler Studio of Acting, formerly known as the Stella Adler Conservatory, is a renowned acting school established in 1949 by actress and teacher Stella Adler. The studio has two main locations: its original New York City conservatory and the Art of Acting Studio in Los Angeles, but it’s important to note that the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York is not affiliated with the Stella Adler Academy & Theatre, which Adler established in Los Angeles in 1985. The Stella Adler Studio and the Juilliard School are known to have the lowest program acceptance rates in the professional acting world, accepting only sixteen students per semester into their professional conservatory program MORE INFO |
Atlantic Acting School Another New York acting school offering courses to all ages (even to children), the Atlantic Acting School is proud of its highly immersive, practical approach to learning. This school also works in partnership with the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, giving students access to multiple stages for performances and a wide network to grow their professional contact list, as well as recruitment opportunities for the many alumni-formed companies. Notable alumni include Clark Gregg, Jessica Alba, Felicity Huffman, and Kristen Johnston. MORE INFO |
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We hope that this list helps you make the best educated decision on where you would like to train in New York City. Please let us know your thoughts and comments in the comment section! We love to hear what everyones thoughts are!
