American Academy of Dramatic Arts

Small classes at the Academy’s NYC campus (there’s also one in LA) offer training through acting history and technique first before diving into movement, speech and voice work. Whether you’re into improv, musical theater or TV shows, you’re in the right place—the school’s alumni have garnered nominations for 105 Oscars, 273 Emmys and 90 Tonys to date, giving you the right to name-drop former students Anne Hathaway, Paul Rudd and Jessica Chastain. However, it’s a pretty pricey journey: approximately $55,855 if you live on campus and $37,020 if you find your own housing.