If anyone can give me the names of schools that are public schools that have BFA Acting/Musical theatre, trying to solidify my list of schools to audition to but realizing that going into crazy debt for a great private school in a field like acting which has a lot of income instability would not be a good choice. Also schools with out of state tuition waivers would be appreciated, I live in California and it seems like all the great schools for Acting and musical theatre are in the east coast and Midwest.
We are also from California and my daughter ended up focusing primarily on out of state programs due to the very limited MT programs in CA. Some that come to mind based on my daughter’s recent audition experience that offered reasonable or instate tuition and good merit aid would include Wright State, Viterbo, Montclair, Rider, Millikin, and Drake. She received generous merit awards from each of those schools. In the end, she chose Hartt because it was the best fit for her so we are going to be paying a bit more, but had she gone with one of the other options it wouldn’t have cost that much more than an instate school in CA.
I would not rule out private schools. Our D’s offers from private schools were often equal or better bottom line than from the public schools. Having said that, I think Texas State, Montclair, Utah and Western Michigan all offer in-state tuition to MTs in some form or fashion.
If you are out-of-state, public doesn’t necessarily mean cheaper than private. Out of state tuition at public schools, especially state flagships, can be more expensive than some private school tuition rates. If you have good grades, many private schools give excellent merit awards that can greatly reduce tuition rates. Some private schools also dole out sizable talent awards.
If you look at the thread below, you will find a detailed list (from 2015) that shows the average cost for some of MT programs based on their average merit awards (which include both academic merit and talent awards):
Note that six of the top 20 least expensive schools on the list are private (Oklahoma City, Viterbo, Millikin, Santa Fe*, Otterbein, Shenandoah). Michigan, UCLA and Penn State are examples of typically pricey public schools for out-of-staters. Of course, these are just estimates based on average data, individual amounts may vary widely. But the list gives you at least ballpark numbers to identify some of the schools more likely to be cheaper (and some that are likely to be very expensive).
If you have demonstrated financial need, a similar analysis can be conducted using the average financial need data from sources like College Data or by using the Net Cost Estimators available from every college website.
Public schools that offer in-state tuition for MT Majors include Texas State and Montclair. Florida State offers in-state tuition based on academic merit. Utah offers in-state tuition if you stay over a summer and meet some other criteria. Western Michigan has greatly reduced their out-of-state tuition to 25% above in-state for all students beginning this fall (so they would now be in the top 10 cheapest schools in the thread posted above).
California public schools with MT programs include:
Cal St Chico BA MT
Cal St East Bay BA w/MT option
Cal St Fullerton BFA MT Aud 2nd yr
Cal St Northridge BA w/MT Minor
Cal St San Bernadino BA w/MT emphasis
San Diego State BA Acting/MT emphasis
U California Irvine audition for MT after certain coursework complete
U California Los Angeles BA MT
To see comprehensive lists of schools that offer MT programs, where you can hunt down all the public schools, see these two threads that are pinned to the top of this forum:
- Santa Fe is no longer in operation.
Although it is private, consider Chapman.
Wright State does not offer in-state, but it’s OOS cost is less than many other IS schools. As mentioned above, they offer terrific merit aid for qualified applicants - easy to calculate via their Financial Aid site.
I think Santa Fe is operating. It repopened a while back. They have a BFA in acting - not sure about MT.
As for good public (state) BFA acting programs -SUNY purchase, Rutgers and UNCSA are all top programs.
I heard someplace that Rutgers may be adding an MT major -but I will defer to the MT posters who hopefully know more about that. I may be totally wrong about it.
UNCSA is a BFA in drama -but don’t be fooled. It is a very physical program with a huge focus on movement. They take dance and voice each semester. Many an MT kid have added UNCSA into the mix as it offers top and intensive acting training but allows one to continue dancing and singing too.
Two recent grads are workshoppong new broadway musicals in NYC with big stars (one of whom is Kelli O’Hara).
Have also heard Coastal Carolina has good out of state scholarships.
There were threads a while back about schools that offer out of state students in state tuition (those with BFA acting/MT).
Here is one of two threads about it: (this one in drama forum)
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/1892160-state-schools-that-offer-in-state-tuition-or-tuition-break-for-out-of-state-students.html#latest
Here is the thread that was
In MT forum:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1892161-list-of-state-schools-offering-in-state-tuition-or-tuition-breaks-for-out-of-state-bfa-students.html#latest
Also do net price calculators on each schools’ website to get an idea if you will get merit money based on academics or grants, etc. This can help a lot when looking at private schools as some give huge scholarships.
I forgot to add University of Minnesota -Guthrie actors training in the twin cities has a wonderful BFA acting program.
In CA you are part of the WUE tuition exchange program with certain states. Check out Western Washington and Southern Oregon for theater programs. (BA or BFA)
If Arizona State is part of the WUE program, they have BFA MT and acting degrees. I think people have posted on CC about liking the program at Arizona State and that it is up and coming.
Here is the 4 year degree map for the MT program at SUNY Fredonia. http://home.fredonia.edu/degreemaps/musical-theatre
My son is starting this fall as a theater tech major. They are doing 4 shows this year, including Spring Awakening and Peter and the Starcatcher. He was also accepted to Purchase, visited both and chose Fredonia.
@bfahopeful - per their web page, the Santa Fe University of Art and Design is ceasing operations this year:
http://santafeuniversity.edu/student-life/transfer/
Here is a local news report explaining what happened:
I think its always a good idea to try and find recent bond rating reports if you are considering attending a small private school, or at least google “[school name] financial problems” to see what comes up.
Thanks @EmsDad I had no idea! That is so sad. I had hoped they would become a strong program --had heard some good things about it
Thank you @BFAhopeful. Your description of UNCSA sounds like exactly what my D. would love. I know how hard it is to get in, though. So net price calculators factor in merit aid, based on your academics? I need to start looking at that. I think we are in the donut hole, where we won’t get much financial need (although my son is going to college this year, so maybe with two at the same time MIGHT qualify), but my D. has good academics, so I need to figure out how to adjust the Costs based upon anticipated aid. Thank goodness for you all!
@FourStars
yes-I found that if the calculator asks for GPA and test scores you may get an estimate of scholarship money.
Different schools calculators work differently. But you may get an idea.
UNCSA doesn’t give merit money really (they have a couple full rides that are merit based across all departments). They do give small scholarships -I guess more talent based or a combo of stuff based on application.
Also-just a proud “Pickle” moment – a boy who just graduated in May was announced as a lead in the Broadway revival of the musical, Once on this Island. Pretty exciting. (UNCSA are the Fighting Pickles lol)
Wow, that’s so great to hear! I really am truly happy for those who find success, big or small. May they all find something!
And to add to the proud pickle moment in post #12, he’s from Greensboro NC and went to high school with my daughter before being accepted into the UNCSA high school program for senior year. We’re super excited here!
Temple gave my son a lot of merit aid - he was admitted to the BFA MT program.
For musical theater: Michigan, Syracuse, CCM, PCPA
For nonmusical theater: NYU/Tisch, Carnegie-Mellon, UNCSA, BU
Uh…I’m pretty sure Syracuse, Boston, and Carnegie-Mellon are private universities.
I am DARN sure NYU is private…
All true. I’m riffing off a previous suggestion to consider private schools too. I work in the profession, and these programs have a notable track record. Actor/singers from these schools get an extra look.