20 Best Acting Schools In The World

“All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players”

If you’ve ever been called dramatic, emotional or even been labelled a diva, a career in acting may just be your calling. But being an actor isn't just as simple as memorising a few lines and faking tears. It takes years of hard work and dedication to hone your craft and truly master the art of performing - and we know exactly where you need to start. Here is a list of the 20 best acting schools in the world for you to start your journey. 

The Old Globe and the University of San Diego 

Location: San Francisco, USA
Fees: $40,000 - $45,000 

This program by The Old Globe and the University of San Diego  was founded in 1987 and was cited as one of the best acting schools in the world by The Hollywood Reporter. The Old Globe is an old theatre company that has partnered with USD and created a 2-year long MFA program in acting led by renowned actor, choreographer and director Jesse Perez. The program is incredibly competitive, with only a 2% acceptance rate, so you’ll need to bring your A-game if you want to get in. 

Notable alumni: Jim Parsons, most famous for his role as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, attended the program 

California Institute of the Arts

Location: Valencia, USA
Fees: $35,000 - $60,000 

Hot dog! If that particular phrase reminded you of a certain cartoon mouse, you might be interested to learn that CalArts was founded by the maker of the mouse - Walt Dinsey. Yes, that’s right, CalArts is the brainchild of the main man himself. It makes sense then that the Institute is home to not only one of the best acting schools in the world, but also has great programs for anyone who is interested in getting a degree in fine arts. 

Notable alumni: Tim Burton, Alison Brie and David Hasselhoff are some of the university’s most famous graduates. 

Carnegie Mellon School of Drama 

Location: Pittsburgh, USA
Fees: $40,000 - $50,000 

The CMU School of drama has one of the best acting schools in the world, so good, in fact, that the acceptance is only about 10%. But don't worry, for those who do get accepted, the hard work definitely pays off! The program is known for its rigorous training and demanding workload, which means that CMU actors are some of the most well-prepared in the industry. Plus, with Pittsburgh's vibrant theatre scene just a stone's throw away, CMU actors have ample opportunity to put their skills to the test. Don't be surprised if you see a CMU actor on Broadway someday – they're that good!

Notable alumni: René Auberjonois, William Atherton and  Hale Appleman.

Central School of Speech and Drama 

Location: London, England
Fees: £20,000 - £30,000

The Central School of Speech and Drama is a prestigious performing arts school home to one of the best acting schools in the world. The school is so good at producing talented performers that it's sometimes referred to as "British Hollywood." The alumni of this college read almost as a credits list for some of the most iconic movies and TV shows of all time, including Lord Of The Rings, Harry Potter & Game of Thrones. 

Notable alumni: Jason Isaacs, Kit Harrington, Martin Freeman and Judi Dench

DePaul University's School of Theatre, Film, and Television 

Location: Chicago, USA
Fees: $35,000 - $40,000

DePaul University's School of Theatre, Film, and Television is one of the top acting schools in the world. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the school has a long history of producing talented actors and actresses who have gone on to have successful careers in Hollywood and beyond. But DePaul's actors aren't just talented - they're also a quirky and creative bunch. It's not uncommon to see students rehearsing Shakespearean monologues in the campus coffee shop or performing impromptu sketches on the quad. 

Notable alumni: Gillian Anderson, Judy Greer, and Joe Keery

Interested in filmmaking? Check out the 10 best film schools in NYC!

Guildhall School of Music & Drama

Location: London, England
Fees:  £20,000-£25,000

007’s alma mater! The Guildhall School of Music & Drama is widely regarded as one of the best colleges for acting in the world. Located in the heart of London, this prestigious institution has produced some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, but it's not just the famous alumni that make Guildhall special - it's also the rigorous training and diverse range of performance opportunities available to students. With top-notch facilities and world-class faculty, it's no wonder that Guildhall is considered one of the best acting schools in the world.

Notable alumni: Daniel Craig, Ewan McGregor, Orlando Bloom

Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts 

Location: Woking, England
Fees:  £20,000-£25,000

The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts is one of the best acting colleges in the world, and it's no wonder why - this prestigious institution has been churning out talented performers for over 100 years. Located in England, (yes that’s right, don’t let the name fool you!)  the Italia Conti Academy is known for its rigorous training and diverse range of performance opportunities available to students. From stage to screen, Italia Conti graduates have gone on to have successful careers in the entertainment industry all over the world.

Notable alumni: Zaraah Abrahams, Tony Adams, Brian Aherne and Gabrielle Anwar.

Juilliard School 

Location: NYC, USA
Fees: $50,000-$40,000

Sharpay Evans dream school - Juilliard is often cited as one of the best acting schools in the world and for good reason. One of the key reasons for Juilliard's success is its rigorous training program, which is designed to challenge and push students to their full potential. The school also has a strong focus on practical experience, with students getting the opportunity to perform in a variety of stage productions throughout their time at Juilliard. Additionally, the school's faculty is comprised of experienced professionals in the acting industry, who are able to provide valuable guidance and mentorship to students.

Notable alumni:  Viola Davis, Sara Ramirez, Jessica Chastain, Oscar Isaacs and Adam Driver.

London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts 

Location: London, England
Fees: £14,000-£20,000

London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) was a founding member of the Federation of Theater Schools and is the oldest specialist drama school in the British Isles. Professor Mark O'Thomas is the Principal of LAMDA; he took over for Director Sarah Frankcom in 2022. In 2018, Timothy West was replaced as the head of the Board of Trustees at LAMDA by Dr Strange himself -Benedict Cumberbatch. Graduates of LAMDA are incredibly successful, employed at places like The Royal National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare's Globe, and other theatres in London's West End.

Notable alumni: David Abeles, James Bundy, Brian Cox, Tony Goldwyn and Zeljko Ivanek

Mountview Academy of Theater Arts 

Location: London, England
Fees: £14,000-£22,000

Mountview is home to one of the top acting schools in the world and would be a dream destination for any budding actor. The school has great resources for students to use, including two theatres, 23 acting and dancing studios, TV and radio suites, rehearsal rooms, conference rooms, and trendy on-campus bars and cafes. The university also has an impressive employment rate of over 90%, and over 70% of the area's theatre productions feature some Mountview alumni. 

Notable alumni: Maria Aberg, Emily Aboud, and Kelly Adams. 

National Institute of Dramatic Art 

Location: Kensington, Australia
Fees: AU$10,000-AU$20,000

The first Australian school on the list; the National Institute of Dramatic Art is home to one of the best acting schools in the world. The institute was founded in 1958 and has established itself as one of the best institutions for students who wish to pursue performing arts. Apart from drama, the school has a range of other fields students can major in, including musical theatre, set design, makeup, direction and more. 

Notable alumni: Cate Blanchett, Mel Gibson, Judy Davis and Baz Luhrmann.

Oxford School of Drama 

Location: Wootton, United Kingdom
Fees: £18,000 - £20,000

The Oxford School of Drama is one of the best acting schools in the world, with courses accredited by renowned institutions such as Trinity College, London. The school is widely recognised by the industry as a major producer of quality talent, including not only actors but also writers, filmmakers and directors. The school also has a beautiful campus, with well-designed buildings and green spaces all around, 

Notable alumni: Lizzie Annis, Ritu Arya,  Luke Barnes and Lee Boardman. 

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

Location: London, United Kingdom
Fees: £30,000 - £60,000 

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) is committed to ensuring they provide students with the best possible education in the dramatic arts. The academy is home to one of the best acting schools in the world and offers vocational training for different specialisations such as designing, stable managing, technical stagecraft and of course, acting. 

Notable alumni:  Anthony Hopkins, Kenneth Branagh and Tom Hiddleston

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 

Location: Glasgow, United Kingdom
Fees: £9,000 - £19,000

Established in 1847, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is one of the world’s top institutions for multidisciplinary specialisations in the arts, music, dance drama and film. The institute has a range of graduate and postgraduate programs for students to choose from. Class sizes are small, ensuring that students get focused attention from the faculty and get the most out of their degrees. 

Notable alumni: James McAvoy, Richard Madden and Colin Firth. 

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama 

Location: Cardiff, UK
Fees: £9,000-£15,000

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama was established in 1949 and is one of the best institutes for performing arts in Wales. Known only as the Welsh College of Music and Drama, it got its official “Royal” title in 2002 in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. The school is primarily known for its outstanding achievements in teaching music and performing arts. The institute also prides itself on being an incredibly inclusive campus, stating that it is “a place for everyone.”

Notable alumni: Lucy Gaskell, Paul Hilton and Anthony Hopkins. 

Pace University: The Actors Studio 

Location: New York City, USA
Fees: $48,000 - $50,000

In 2006, Pace University partnered up with The Actors Studio in NYC to come up with a three-year MFA course in theatre arts. This course includes three major specialisations, which are playwriting, directing and acting. This venture has become very popular among drama students, and the Actors Studio Drama School is now regarded as one of the best acting schools in the world. 

Notable alumni: Bradley Cooper, Eisa Davis and Richard Kuranda. 

NYU: Tisch School of the Arts 

Location: New York City, USA
Fees: $50,000 - $60,000

You can’t talk best drama schools without mentioning the Tisch School of Arts’s drama program. NYU’s Arts school is well known for having some of the best arts programs in the world. The school offers students graduate and undergraduate courses in drama and performing arts. The School has a unique studio system, which allows students to get a well-rounded education, fully preparing them for working within the industry. 

Notable alumni: Trazana Beverley, Barry Bostwick and Sterling K. Brown (Randall Pearson in This Is Us). 

UCLA: School of Theatre, Film and Television

Location: Los Angeles, USA
Fees: $15,000 - $40,000 

UCLA is not only one of the best universities in the US, but they are often cited as having one of the best undergraduate drama departments in the world. By virtue of its close proximity to  Hollywood, students at UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film and Television can get a peek into the industry while they are pursuing their education by just stepping outside of their campus. 

Notable alumni: James Franco, Ben Stiller and Mayim Bialik

USC School of Dramatic Arts

Location: Los Angeles
Fees: $50,000 - $55,000

The USC School for Dramatic Arts has been in operation for over 75 years and over the years it has developed one of the best acting schools in the world. The school takes a unique approach to teaching the art of acting by taking an entrepreneurial approach to the subject, using interdisciplinary courses to give students a better overview of the way the industry works. 

Notable alumni: Shiri Appleby and husband-wife duo Patrick J Adams  (Mike Ross from Suits) and Troian Bellisario (Spencer Hastings from Pretty Little Liars) 

David Geffen School of Drama at Yale

Location: New Haven, USA
Fees: Tuition-free 

Yale’s drama school is not only one of the best acting schools in the country, but it is also one of the most sought after and for a good reason. Following a VERY generous donation of $150 million by the David Geffen Foundation, the Yale School of Drama announced that it would be going tuition free! No, you didn’t read that wrong. The School of Drama has proclaimed that students can now study here free of tuition. This is the second program at Yale that has gone tuition-free, following the Yale School of Music that did the same in 2005. 

Notable alumni: Jake Gyllenhaal and Jane Alexander.

That was our list of the top 20 acting schools in the world. So what are you waiting for? Pick your favourite and start your application today! Acting is an art form that requires an incredible amount of dedication and hard work, and you should be proud to embark on your journey to pursue it. We hope you’ve found this blog helpful, and we wish you all the best!