Best colleges for Dance
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Dance by graduate earnings are Texas State University ($38,967), California State University - Long Beach ($30,686) and Texas Woman's University ($29,634), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Texas State University (San Marcos, TX): $38,967, 33 graduates a year
- California State University - Long Beach (Long Beach, CA): $30,686, 51 graduates a year
- Texas Woman's University (Denton, TX): $29,634, 28 graduates a year
- University of California-Irvine (Irvine, CA): $28,112, 49 graduates a year
- Arizona State University Campus Immersion (Tempe, AZ): $27,310, 23 graduates a year
Compare 297 U.S. colleges offering Dance by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 46 states.
Dance programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $21,877 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 50.03 and the Dancers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Dance programs
The Dance program is a part of the Visual and Performing Arts field, focusing on the study and practice of various dance forms. It caters to individuals passionate about movement, rhythm, and expression through dance, offering opportunities to explore different styles and techniques. Students can specialize in areas such as General Dance, Ballet, or other dance forms, enhancing their artistic abilities and performance skills.
In the Dance program, students develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and physical fitness. Coursework typically involves studying and practicing dance moves, harmonizing movements with music, and training to maintain technical proficiency. Students also learn about fine arts, psychology, and customer service, which contribute to their overall understanding of dance as an art form.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,967 | 33 | 55% | — | $22,500 |
| 2 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,686 | 51 | 69% | — | $20,500 |
| 3 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,634 | 28 | 49% | — | $21,953 |
| 4 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,112 | 49 | 87% | — | $20,080 |
| 5 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,310 | 23 | 68% | — | $23,393 |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,456 | 22 | 49% | — | $26,000 |
| 7 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,826 | 41 | 68% | — | $20,616 |
| 8 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,295 | 21 | 56% | — | $25,000 |
| 9 | Dean College Franklin, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,236 | 32 | 54% | $28,874 | $27,000 |
| 10 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,125 | 39 | 65% | — | $17,269 |
| 11 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,191 | 35 | 65% | — | $27,000 |
| 12 | Berklee College of Music Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $22,993 | 63 | 67% | $46,197 | $27,000 |
| 13 | Marymount Manhattan College New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $21,880 | 34 | 49% | $34,258 | $27,000 |
| 14 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,877 | 23 | 86% | — | $21,706 |
| 15 | Chapman University Orange, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $21,275 | 33 | 82% | $42,965 | $23,624 |
| 16 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,167 | 25 | 88% | — | $26,000 |
| 17 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,417 | 24 | 51% | — | $24,652 |
| 18 | Fordham University Bronx, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $20,381 | 29 | 82% | $38,931 | $26,000 |
| 19 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $19,787 | 32 | 93% | — | $19,309 |
| 20 | Pace University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $19,614 | 34 | 60% | $29,994 | $27,000 |
| 21 | Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, OK Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $19,548 | 24 | 65% | $22,589 | $24,100 |
| 22 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $19,202 | 29 | 55% | — | $26,000 |
| 23 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $18,888 | 33 | 52% | — | $22,762 |
| 24 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $18,716 | 24 | 73% | — | — |
| 25 | Point Park University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $17,781 | 76 | 59% | $23,704 | $27,000 |
Specializations within Dance
3 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 50.03 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 46 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2031, Dancers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Dance program can pursue various careers in the performing arts sector. The job outlook for dance-related occupations is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.5% and approximately 1,800 annual openings. Most positions do not require formal educational credentials, allowing for diverse entry points into the field.
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Dance
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 50.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 50.03 (Dance) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-2031 | Dancersprimary |
| 27-2032 | Choreographers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Dance programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Study and practice dance moves required in roles.
- Harmonize body movements to rhythm of musical accompaniment.
- Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
- Coordinate dancing with that of partners or dance ensembles.
- Develop self-understanding of physical capabilities and limitations, and choose dance styles accordingly.
- Perform classical, modern, or acrobatic dances in productions, expressing stories, rhythm, and sound with their bodies.
Common questions
What types of dance can I specialize in?+
You can specialize in General Dance, Ballet, or other dance forms.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and physical fitness.
What is the job outlook for dance careers?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.5%.
Do I need a formal education to work in dance?+
Most dance-related positions do not require formal educational credentials.
How much do Dance graduates earn?+
Dance graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $21,877, College Scorecard (2019).
What is the CIP code for Dance?+
Dance maps to CIP 50.03 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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