Admit rate has ranged 4%–67% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Circle in the Square Theatre School is a fiercely selective, no-nonsense Broadway conservatory where 50 students train rigorously in the heart of New York’s theater district. With acceptance rates fluctuating between 3.77% and 8%, it’s a bootcamp for the stage—intimate, intense, and occasionally chaotic, but with the rare perk of free Broadway show access and performances at the historic Circle in the Square Theatre.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
Letters of recommendation
Demonstrated competencies
Considered (not required)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
39
In-state tuition
$25,610
Out-of-state tuition
$25,610
Location
Broadway Theatre District, NYC
Gender Split
40% male, 60% female
Notable Perk
Free access to Circle in the Square Theatre shows
Acceptance Rate
3.77–8%
Total Enrollment
50
Average Aid Award
$10,929
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$39,899
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.4×
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
45%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
90
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
54.3"
Annual snow
19.2"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Circle in the Square Theatre School?
Circle in the Square Theatre School's acceptance rate is approximately 8% (New York, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Circle in the Square Theatre School cost?
At Circle in the Square Theatre School, the average net price (after aid) is about $28,089 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Circle in the Square Theatre School?
Circle in the Square Theatre School enrolls approximately 39 undergraduate students.
Where is Circle in the Square Theatre School located?
Circle in the Square Theatre School is located in New York, NY.
Admissions
Getting into Circle in the Square is like landing a callback for a Broadway show—brutally competitive, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 3.77% to 8% (sources disagree, but all underscore its exclusivity). The school enrolls just 50 students, with a gender split of 40% male and 60% female. Applicants must audition, and the BFA program offers Early Action or Rolling Admissions (both non-binding). Notably, 100% of admitted students major in drama or theatre—there are no other academic tracks.
This is a single-focus conservatory—no gen-ed requirements, no electives, just 12-hour days of acting, voice, and movement. The curriculum emphasizes inclusivity and diversity, pushing students to 'expand their perspectives' while honing craft. Programs include a two-year conservatory and a BFA partnership with Eckerd College. Alumni rave about the training’s intensity ('phenomenal,' per one graduate), though the school’s Instagram reveals a lighter side—showcasing student performances with Broadway-level production values.
Life here is all theatre, all the time. Students train in the actual Circle in the Square Theatre (a Broadway house) and see shows there for free. But it’s not all glamour: reviews cite disorganization ('students don’t get what is needed') and a packed schedule. The tiny cohort (50 students total) means tight bonds but also relentless pressure. Summer workshops attract additional students, but the core program remains an insular, New York–centric experience—no dorms, no campus, just the city as a classroom.
The school’s graduation repertory series at Theatre Row (410 W 42nd St) serves as a de facto showcase for industry scouts. Financial data shows $1.9M in annual revenue, with modest profitability ($121K net income). While job placement stats aren’t public, the school’s Broadway adjacency and rigorous rep suggest strong industry pipelines—though, like all acting programs, success is far from guaranteed.
Tuition runs $25,610 (no in/out-of-state difference), with 66% of students receiving aid averaging $10,929. After aid, Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. is $29,537 (per College Board) or $11,709 (per Niche—sources vary wildly). Scholarships like the SAAAI Annual Award ($6K) and NY Tuition Assistance Program (up to $5,665) help offset costs, but this is still a pricey gamble for a career with notoriously unstable earnings.
Circle in the Square is the only conservatory embedded in a Broadway theater, offering unmatched access to the industry’s epicenter. The 3.77–8% acceptance rate rivals Ivy League schools, but here, the currency isn’t grades—it’s raw talent and stamina. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it experience: chaotic and demanding, yet dripping with opportunity for those willing to endure the grind. If you want to act, this is the closest thing to a Broadway apprenticeship—just don’t expect hand-holding.
Circle in the Square Theatre School logo · sourceCircle in the Square Theatre School · sourceCircle in the Square Theatre School | Organizations | NYC-ARTS · sourceCircle in the Square Theatre School Reviews - Niche · source
