Syracuse University Drama

Syracuse University's Department of Drama is one of the oldest and most respected undergraduate acting programs in the United States, housed within the College of Visual and Performing Arts on the university's hilltop campus in Syracuse, New York. The department has a long and distinguished history of producing professional actors who work at the highest levels of theater, film, and television, establishing itself as one of the premier BFA programs in the country. Syracuse's partnership with Syracuse Stage, a professional LORT theater that operates on campus, provides students with exposure to professional-caliber productions and guest artists throughout their training. The program's emphasis on immediate immersion in pre-professional training — with first-year students committing approximately 18 hours per week to their acting coursework — signals the intensity and seriousness that define the Syracuse experience. The university's location in upstate New York provides a focused training environment away from the distractions of major cities, while the program's strong showcases in New York and Los Angeles bring the industry directly to graduating students. The department has consistently produced alumni who are visible across Broadway, film, and television, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable pipeline to professional success.

In 2025, Syracuse's BFA in Acting operates as a four-year conservatory-style program within the broader university context, offering intensive professional training alongside the academic resources and campus life of a major research university. The curriculum covers acting technique, classical text work, voice and speech, movement, stage combat, and on-camera acting, building progressively from foundational skills through advanced performance challenges. Students are immersed in training from their first semester, with the program's demanding schedule establishing professional discipline and work habits from day one. The partnership with Syracuse Stage gives students direct access to professional productions, guest directors, and visiting artists who bring current industry knowledge to the training environment. The program culminates in a highly regarded senior showcase presented in both New York City and Los Angeles, which is well-attended by agents, managers, and casting directors and has consistently generated representation and audition opportunities for graduating students. Syracuse's BFA combines the intensity of conservatory training with the social and intellectual dimensions of a major university campus, appealing to actors who want both professional preparation and a well-rounded college experience.

Admission to Syracuse's BFA in Acting requires both an academic application to the university and an artistic audition evaluated by the Department of Drama faculty. Applicants prepare contrasting monologues and may participate in callbacks that include additional exercises and interviews. The program is competitive within the College of Visual and Performing Arts, with the artistic audition serving as the primary driver of admission decisions alongside academic credentials. Syracuse's overall acceptance rate is approximately 42%, but the drama program is more selective due to limited class sizes and the audition requirement. The university considers both artistic potential and academic readiness, looking for students who can thrive in the demanding dual environment of intensive training and university coursework. Financial aid is available to a significant majority of students, with approximately 81% receiving some form of aid and average packages that help offset the substantial tuition. Merit scholarships and talent awards are available through the admissions process.

The four-year curriculum is structured as a progressive conservatory experience, beginning with intensive foundational work in acting technique, voice and speech, and movement, and building through increasingly complex performance challenges toward professional readiness. First-year students commit approximately 18 hours per week to their drama coursework, establishing the discipline and stamina required for a professional acting career. Training covers a range of acting methodologies, with emphasis on developing truthful, present actors who can work effectively across classical and contemporary material. Voice and speech training, movement including stage combat, and on-camera technique are woven throughout the curriculum. Students perform in multiple department productions each year, gaining experience across a range of styles and periods in Syracuse's well-equipped theater facilities. The partnership with Syracuse Stage provides additional opportunities to observe and occasionally participate in professional productions, connecting classroom training with professional practice. The senior showcase in New York and Los Angeles is the program's most important professional development event, and students prepare extensively for these career-launching presentations.

Syracuse attracts ambitious, disciplined actors who want a nationally recognized BFA with proven professional outcomes and a strong pathway into the industry through its well-regarded showcases. The alumni roster is impressive: Vera Farmiga, the Oscar-nominated actress known for The Departed and Up in the Air, graduated in 1995; Taye Diggs, the Tony-nominated Broadway and television star, graduated in 1993; and Vanessa Williams, the multi-talented actress, singer, and former Miss America, attended in the 1980s. The program's graduates are consistently visible on Broadway, in major film and television productions, and across the entertainment industry. The active alumni network provides mentorship, referrals, and professional support for emerging graduates, creating a community that sustains careers well beyond graduation. Syracuse's campus culture, including its passionate Division I athletics program and active social life, provides a college experience that balances the intensity of professional training with the broader dimensions of university life. The program draws students from across the country who are attracted by the combination of training quality, professional outcomes, and campus culture.

Tuition at Syracuse University for the 2025-2026 academic year is approximately $61,000-$63,000, placing it among the more expensive BFA options in the country. The total cost of attendance, including housing, meals, and personal expenses, pushes the annual figure higher. However, approximately 81% of students receive financial aid, with average packages ranging from $22,000 to $52,000 depending on individual circumstances. Merit scholarships and talent awards are available through the admissions process, and the university's financial aid office works with families to create manageable aid packages. While the sticker price is steep, the financial aid availability means that many students pay significantly less than the published rate. Compared to peer programs like NYU Tisch ($104,000+ total cost of attendance) or Ithaca College ($65,542), Syracuse's actual cost after aid can be competitive, though students should carefully evaluate their individual financial aid offers before committing.

Syracuse is an excellent choice for actors who want a nationally recognized BFA program with a proven track record of placing graduates in professional work through strong industry showcases and an active alumni network. If you value the combination of conservatory-intensity training with the full university experience including athletics, social life, and academic breadth, Syracuse offers an environment that balances both effectively. The program is particularly well-suited for focused, disciplined actors who thrive under the intensity of immediate immersion in professional training from their first year. Actors who want to be in a major city during their training should consider NYU Tisch, Fordham, or Emerson instead. If cost is a primary concern, public university programs like UNCSA, SUNY Purchase, or Penn State offer comparable conservatory training at dramatically lower tuition. For actors seeking MFA programs, Syracuse does not offer graduate acting degrees — consider Yale, Juilliard, or Rutgers.

Prepare for the rigorous first-year schedule by developing strong time management and physical stamina before you arrive — the 18-hour weekly commitment to drama coursework alongside academic requirements demands discipline and energy. Choose audition monologues that showcase emotional truth and range rather than technical fireworks — Syracuse looks for actors with genuine potential who will respond to intensive training. Take advantage of the Syracuse Stage partnership by attending professional productions, engaging with visiting artists, and learning from the professional-caliber work happening on your own campus. Build relationships with your cohort that extend beyond the classroom, as these will be your primary artistic partners throughout your four years and your earliest professional network. Prepare thoroughly for the senior showcase — research attending agents and casting directors, develop a strong professional package, and approach the showcase as the most important audition of your training. Apply for financial aid early and explore all available scholarship opportunities, as the gap between sticker price and actual cost can be substantial.