Top Acting and Drama Schools Across the Globe

If you're an aspiring actor with a profound passion for the craft, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in drama can provide the rigorous training and essential connections needed for a professional career.

Whether your foundation is in high school theatre or commercial work, choosing the right institution is the critical next step.

The world is home to a select group of drama schools celebrated for their demanding curricula, star-studded alumni, and deep industry ties. We’ve compiled a list of these top-tier institutions, detailing their unique offerings, training environments, and, significantly, their current financial structures.

Top Drama Schools in the World for Aspiring Actors

North American Powerhouses: From Tuition-Free to Priceless Connections

The United States boasts several of the most competitive and influential drama programs, particularly in the major cultural hubs of New York and Los Angeles, as well as prestigious university settings.

01. David Geffen School of Drama at Yale (New Haven, Connecticut)

The former Yale School of Drama, now the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale (DGSD), stands as a beacon for graduate-level acting training. Since 1925, it has cultivated legends like Meryl Streep ('75) and Frances McDormand ('82).

The most transformative change came with a landmark $150 million gift from the David Geffen Foundation in 2021. This endowment ensures that all full-time students in the degree and certificate programs, including the highly selective graduate acting program (accepting only 15 to 17 students per year), receive 100 percent tuition support in perpetuity. While students are still responsible for living expenses, DGSD also provides scholarships for those with demonstrated financial need, making this world-class training uniquely accessible.

02. The Juilliard School (New York)

Located in New York, Juilliard is synonymous with conservatory excellence. Its Drama Division offers two intense, four-year streams: an undergraduate program and a graduate MFA. Students are immersed in comprehensive training that includes singing, speech, voice, physical comedy, and acting for the camera.

Juilliard has recently been on a path to eliminating financial barriers. While the undergraduate program traditionally involved substantial tuition (around $51,000 per year, though over 95% of students receive scholarship support), the MFA in Acting program became tuition-free starting in the 2024–2025 school year thanks to dedicated fundraising. This makes Juilliard’s graduate acting program financially competitive with Yale's. Notable alumni include The Tragedy of Macbeth's Corey Hawkins ('11) and Sara Ramirez ('97).

03. NYU Tisch School of the Arts (New York)

A "thrumming creative hive" in Greenwich Village, NYU Tisch offers both the undergraduate Tisch Drama and the renowned three-year Graduate Acting Program. The institution’s appeal lies not only in its rigorous training but also its unparalleled access to the New York City industry.

Alumni like Broadway star Raúl Esparza ('92), the late Philip Seymour Hoffman ('89), and modern screen figures like Mahershala Ali and Sterling K. Brown form a powerful professional network. The school maintains a strong track record, with a representative noting that in recent years, each graduate has secured agent and/or manager representation upon graduation. It is, however, one of the more expensive options, with annual costs running around $60,000, though financial aid is available.

Also Read: Highest Paid Actors in Hollywood for 2024 Ranked by Earnings

04. UC San Diego (San Diego)

UC San Diego's prestigious training ground is uniquely defined by its connection to the La Jolla Playhouse, a Tony Award-winning theatre co-founded by Gregory Peck in 1947. MFA students are granted the invaluable opportunity to perform in professional productions at the Playhouse. This collaboration ensures graduates secure an Actors’ Equity card (the union card for professional stage actors) upon completion of their degree. Furthermore, tuition for these MFA students is waived, making it an extremely attractive, debt-free path to professional union membership.

05. The Old Globe and USD (San Diego)

Another San Diego gem, the Old Globe and University of San Diego (USD) Shiley Graduate Theatre Program offers an intense, two-year Shakespeare-dominated MFA stream. This program is led by respected professionals and maintains extraordinary selectivity, accepting only about 2 percent of applicants (roughly seven students per class). Like other highly-endowed programs, the tuition for the graduate stream is completely covered.

06. Brown University (Providence, Rhode Island)

This Ivy League institution offers an MFA program in association with the Tony Award-winning Trinity Repertory Company. Aspiring graduate students benefit from a program where their whole tuition is waived, and they gain crucial experience performing in professional Trinity shows.

The Global Stage: Leading British and Australian Conservatories

For a tradition rooted in classical texts and the legacy of Shakespeare, the UK and Australia host venerated conservatories that have produced acting royalty.

07. London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) (London)

Founded in 1861, LAMDA is the oldest drama school in the British Isles and a globally respected name in classical and contemporary actor training. Its alumni have mastered Shakespeare and all forms of theatre, screen, and audio performance. Famous graduates include Succession's Brian Cox ('65) and recent Tony Award-winner Matt Doyle (for Company). LAMDA offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. For the 2025-2026 academic year, international applicants for the BA (Hons) Professional Acting course face a tuition fee of approximately £25,363 (around $32,000 USD) per year.

08. Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) (London)

Founded in 1904, RADA is one of the world's most famous and prestigious drama institutions, with Queen Elizabeth II having served as its royal patron. Its alumni list is a who's who of British talent, including Tom Hiddleston, who famously honed his craft there. RADA offers a highly sought-after three-year B.A. in acting and a one-year M.A. Theatre Lab. International tuition for the B.A. program is approximately $26,000 per year.

09. Guildhall School (London)

Another top London conservatory, Guildhall School currently focuses on an undergraduate degree: a three-year program designed to equip actors to "move with confidence between stage, screen, digital and audio platforms and classical, contemporary and experimental repertoire." Notable graduates include Lily James ('10) of Pam & Tommy fame. International tuition runs about $34,000 annually.

10. National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) (Kensington, Australia)

Considered Australia's finest drama conservatory, NIDA maintains a stellar international reputation. Its acting program is currently led by John Bashford, who previously trained Chiwetel Ejiofor and Benedict Cumberbatch at LAMDA. NIDA's BFA program has produced iconic actors such as Cate Blanchett ('92) and Sarah Snook ('08). The three-year BFA program has an annual tuition of around $23,000.

Other Highly-Ranked Programs: Diverse Training and Opportunities

Several other programs across the US offer distinct advantages, from specialized training to prime industry locations.

11. University of North Carolina School of the Arts (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)

UNCSA offers only an undergraduate degree but has a strong reputation for placing students in professional roles. The program is notable for integrating on-camera acting training across all four years, reflecting current industry demand. Recent successes include Briana Middleton ('22) in The Tender Bar.

12. Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh)

The School of Acting and Music Theater at Carnegie Mellon is a premier undergraduate-only, four-year program, particularly outstanding as a training ground for musical theater performers. The program has launched the careers of stars like Tony Award-winner Billy Porter ('91) and Zachary Quinto ('99).

13. Columbia University (New York)

Columbia’s MFA acting program leverages its prime location, defining itself by its deep integration into the New York City industry. The Columbia network is an undeniable asset for making crucial career connections. Recent alumni include Tamera Tomakili ('19) and Joey Odom ('19). However, this privilege comes at a high cost, with annual tuition at approximately $72,000.

14. UCLA (Los Angeles)

A key West Coast institution, UCLA has been diligently rebuilding its graduate program. Its alumni are pervasive in film and TV, including Olly Sholotan ('19) and Zuri Adele ('16). Annual tuition for residents is around $30,000, rising to approximately $60,000 for nonresidents.

Conclusion

The path to becoming a professional actor is demanding, but training at a world-class institution provides the essential skills, discipline, and connections required for a sustainable career. For aspiring actors, the modern landscape offers increasingly accessible options, especially at the graduate level, with programs at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale and The Juilliard School now offering tuition-free MFA degrees. When making your choice, consider the program's unique focus, its alumni network, and the crucial financial investment—or lack thereof—in your future success.