As always- I would say take with a grain of salt rather than as gospel. But interesting
Hm… Interesting. I think this list is better than some they’ve put out in the past. My first impressions (for whatever they’re worth, haha) -
Surprised to see SCAD on the list. I live in Georgia and know of people from several majors who have had issues with the school.
I think U Mich should have been ranked higher, and UNCSA should have been ranked MUCH higher. Shocked to see them so low, actually. And I think Northwestern’s ranking was a bit generous.
Do these lists primarily examine the acting programs?
I am disappointed as this list has several big errors. Two right away - Anna Camp attended UNCSA not Minnesota. And UNCSA is NOT part of chapel hills campus. It is an independent conservatory in Winston Salem.
If they can’t get location right (pretty basic) I don’t have faith in the rest of the info.
Too bad as In the past these lists were informative. Last years and this years seem very odd - strange criteria etc.
@HannahMTheatre - past lists and descriptions did seem to actually look at the programs. However I noticed more recent lists talked about criteria unrelated to drama programs such as the school mascot, location, or sports team. Also gave credit for alum that didn’t attend for drama or to those that actually got an MFA (yet were on BFA list-- some schools have both).
As noted above I find it sad because past lists actually had some helpful info. 
Obviously the schools listed are all solid programs. No disrespect towards the schools meant by my comments - just not feeling the authors of said list did a thorough job.
It’s hard for me to take a list seriously when they just list the name of the school and some alumni and that’s it. I think the more credible (and valuable) lists are the ones that go into detail about the program and what makes it special (i.e. Rutgers sends students to London to study Shakespeare with a professional Shakespeare troupe, etc.)
I totally agree with all comments. As I said in my original post, all “lists” have flaws- just interesting
And where is SUNY Purchase? That is usually on such lists. Don’t know why this list bugs me but it does!
Last year, UNCSA was ranked 6. This year, it is ranked 18. In the meantime, more alumni have been getting break-out roles, and cast in high level films and Broadway shows. Nothing about the program has deteriorated at all. The rank change just doesn’t make sense.
And indeed, where is SUNY Purchase?
One of the things I always look at in a list is who wrote it. This one just says THR staff- so no idea of credentials. But it got me thinking, who/what would be the best person/group to create a list?
us! 
Enter this into a Google search and you’ll have your answer - Hollywood Reporter Staff Northwestern. 
At least they sent questionnaires to casting and artistic directors the first couple of years they did these lists. I’d have to go back and look at the older ones, but I think it’s the third year in a row that they’ve snubbed Purchase. And while I admittedly haven’t kept up with the New York theatre scene, I noticed three recent UNCSA graduates booking leads in pilots this year. Not series regulars - LEADS - and two of those were from the classes of '13 and '14. Anybody else got that? Is that a good reason to drop twelve spots?
Meh … I could go on and on …
Interesting.
This list is pretty silly, but I like it because at least one school we visited which had a tremendously outsized ego is NOT listed. 
They fixed UNCSA to be in Winston Salem vs chapel hill. They also removed Anna Camp from Minnesota alum list but failed to add her to UNCSA
That’s what happens when you fire all the fact-checkers, yes?