10+ Best Acting Schools in California | Best Rankings

Acting degrees are more popular than many other types of degrees. In reality, it is the 319th most common degree in the country, with 1383 of its sort. So, when looking for a school, you have a good number of options.

When determining the Best Acting Schools in California for 2024, we will look at seven schools and organizations. These institutions granted 570 acting degrees to qualified students.

Before deciding on the ideal school for you, make sure you get as much information as possible.

To help you choose a college, we’ve prepared a series of rankings for various majors, including this list of the Best Acting Schools in California.

READ ALSO: 10+ Best Acting Schools in Atlanta | Best Rankings

How much do Acting Classes Cost?

This depends on the kind of acting classes you wish to attend, how skilled you are, and where you enroll in order to be a part of the best acting schools in California.

In the Los Angeles area, acting classes can cost anything between $50 and $200 per class.

Cheap Acting Classes

$30 – $50 per class

Pros: Pay-as-you-go alternatives and low cost are advantages. 

Cons: Subpar instructors or interns, poor facilities, and frequently no connections in the entertainment business. 

If you’re a young and inexperienced actor, you can find reasonably priced acting classes in the Valley. If you’re serious about acting, the cheapest classes may not be the greatest option.

Cheap acting programs sometimes hire interns or teachers with little to no industry experience.

Some of the greatest acting schools in California charge only $50 per class if your child or adolescent wants to take acting lessons for fun and isn’t really interested in performing.

Cheap acting schools generally attract a tough bunch with few connections to the field. A low-cost acting school has undeniable advantages, yet the curriculum and learning environment are inadequate.

READ ALSO: 10 Best Acting Schools in New York

Average Priced Acting Classes

$100 per class

seasoned instructors, richer settings, professional actors, bigger acting studios, and connections in the entertainment business are positives. 

Cons: It’s not affordable for everyone. The price of the program will range from $2,000 to $4,500 depending on the curriculum you select. 

The average cost of a class at an acting school is $100. These schools are typically found in a classy section of Los Angeles. In contrast to low-cost institutions, the acting studio will be a larger facility, and the instructors and school administrators will have a solid track record.

We provide a comprehensive program for children and teenagers in our two acting studios. We have two locations: one in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and one in Century City (Beverly Glen & Santa Monica Blvd).

For beginners, intermediate learners, advanced learners, and professionals, we offer a one-year program. We give actors who pay a full year in advance discounts, however, the majority of our players make payments every six months (on average, $2,250 on average). 

When possible, we also provide payment plans to allow highly motivated performers the chance to enroll in our acting conservatory.

Our regular classes meet on Saturdays, and make-up sessions meet during the week. For additional information, feel free to arrange a free on-camera talent evaluation at our Los Angeles location.

READ ALSO: Top 10 Best Acting Schools in Atlanta | All You Need to Know

Expensive Acting Classes

$20,001 to $34,999 annually 

Pros: Accredited universities that offer associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, intensive instruction three to five days per week, and strong industry connections. 

Cons: Not available to children and young adolescents and frequently requires financial aid (student loans). 

Because they are more demanding, expensive acting schools and programs are typically created for adults. Adult acting classes that cost a lot of money typically meet three to five days a week. Depending on the program you join, there is a wide variety of pricing.

For instance, the New York Film Academy charges $1,214 for a one-week course. A one-year curriculum starting at $34,676 for two semesters is also available.

The New York Film Academy provides the following courses for those seeking degrees: associate degree in FINE ARTS for Film Acting 

• Fees: $16,838 (USD) per semester, divided across 4 semesters. 
• FINE ARTS BACHELOR’S IN ACTING FOR FILM 
• $13,231 for tuition (USD) Number of Semesters: 8 Per Semester 
• Fine arts in acting for film master’s degree 
• Fees: $16,839 (USD) Number of Semesters: 4 Per Semester

What are The Best Acting Schools in California?

The schools that provide the best education for the acting degree levels they provide can be found on the list below.

#1. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a school that should be considered by anyone pursuing a degree in acting. USC is a private, non-profit institution with a sizable student body that is situated in Los Angeles.

USC is a fantastic university overall, earning a Best Acting School in California in ranking of #33 out of 2,576 institutions nationally. 

In the most recent year for which we have data, roughly 72 acting students at USC received this degree.

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#2. Chapman University

Anyone interested in earning a degree in acting should look into Chapman University. Chapman University is a private, non-profit institution with a sizeable student body that is situated in the medium-sized city of Orange.

In terms of overall quality, this university is ranked 37th out of 203 universities as one of the best acting schools in California. 

In the most recent data year, there were roughly 15 acting students who received this degree from Chapman.

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READ ALSO: Top 10 Best Acting Schools in Atlanta | All You Need to Know

#3. University of California, San Diego

Students interested in obtaining an acting degree should definitely consider the University of California-San Diego. UCSD is a public institution with a sizable student body that is situated in La Jolla.

UCSD is a fantastic university overall, earning a space among the Best Acting Schools in California ranking #129 out of 2,576 institutions nationally. 

In the most recent year for which we have data, approximately 9 acting students at UCSD received this degree.

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#4. California Institute of the Arts

If you want to study acting, the California Institute of the Arts is tough to beat. A small private, non-profit university called CalArts is situated in the Valencia area. 

In the most recent academic year for which data are available, about 42 acting students at CalArts received this degree. This institute is also considered one of the best acting schools in California.

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#5. Pepperdine University

Malibu’s suburb is home to the reasonably big private, non-profit university Pepperdine. As one of the best acting schools in California, this university is ranked 25th overall out of 203 institutions. 

In the most recent year for which we have data, about 7 acting students at Pepperdine received this degree.

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#6. Academy of Art University

In the city of San Francisco, there is a modestly sized private for-profit university called Academy of Art University.

In terms of overall quality, this university comes in at number 92 out of 203 universities in the state of California which makes it stand out among the best acting schools in California. 

In the most recent year for which we have data, around 45 acting students at the Academy of Art University received this degree.

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#7. New York Film Academy Burbank, CA

New York Film Academy is a private, for-profit institution with a modest student body that is situated in the medium-sized city of Burbank which makes it rank among one of the best acting schools in California.

The most recent graduating class from the New York Film Academy with a degree in acting was 292 individuals, according to our most recent data about the best acting schools in California.

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READ ALSO: 10+ Best Acting Schools in Florida

What Are The Best Acting Schools in Fresno, California?

• Sysco Central California 
• John Wright Theatre
• Ghost Light Performance Incorporated 
• California Arts Academy 
• Good Vibrations
• C’est La Veie Arts 
• Inspire Model and Talent Training
• The Talent Shop
• Dididothat
• Western Christian

Who Are The Best Acting Agencies in California?

1. Green Light Talent Agency

Talent agency in Los Angeles, California

Address: 6300 Wilshire Blvd # 1625, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States

2. Good People Casting

Entertainment agency in Los Angeles, California

Address: 6103 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038, United States

3. MZA “The Michael Zanuck Agency”

Talent agency in Los Angeles, California

Address: 4929 Wilshire Blvd #808, Los Angeles, CA 90010, United States

4. 200 South Casting

Talent agency in Los Angeles, California

Address: 200 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States

5. Berland Casting Acting agencies

Entertainment agency in Los Angeles, California

Address: 6380 Wilshire Blvd #100, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States

6. Angel City Talent and Acting agencies

Entertainment agency in Los Angeles, California

Address: 8318 Kirkwood Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90046, United States

7. Esprit Talent And Acting agencies

Talent agency in Los Angeles, California

Address: 11620 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States

8. SBV Talent and Acting agencies

Talent agency in Los Angeles, California

Address: 5900 Wilshire Blvd #700, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States

9. Buchwald Acting agencies

Talent agency in Los Angeles, California

Address: 5900 Wilshire Blvd #3100, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States

10. Vox Inc Acting agencies

Talent agency in Los Angeles, California

Address: 6420 Wilshire Blvd #1080, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States.

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Summary

Dramatic art is used as a teaching tool for pupils of all ages in acting classes. It incorporates acting training components to help students with their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.

It is a multisensory learning approach that aims to deepen understanding of human behavior, motivation, diversity, culture, and history; improve clarity and creativity in verbal and nonverbal communication; and raise awareness of oneself (mind, body, and voice) and others (collaboration and empathy).

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