Best institutions to study Ballet
A program that prepares individuals to express ideals and feelings through interpretation of classical dance choreography.
4 U.S. institutions graduated 40 Ballet students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0302, a specialization of Dance (CIP 50.03), and leads most directly to the Dancers occupation (BLS SOC 27-2031).
About Ballet programs
A program that prepares individuals to express ideals and feelings through interpretation of classical dance choreography. Includes instruction in ballet exercise, solo and ensemble dance, history of ballet, ballet choreography, Laban notation, ballet technique, and interpretations of specific styles and schools.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Ballet program, a subset of the Dance field within Visual and Performing Arts, prepares individuals to express ideals and emotions through classical dance choreography. This program is designed for those passionate about ballet and looking to develop their skills in a structured environment, including both solo and ensemble performances.
Students in the Ballet program will engage in coursework that covers ballet technique, choreography, and the history of ballet. They will also learn essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and physical fitness to enhance their performance capabilities.
Credentials awarded
What Ballet graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree34 graduates / yr · 4 institutions85%
- Master's degree3 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.5%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year3 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.5%
Graduates over time
Ballet completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 27 |
| 2013 | 37 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 36 |
| 2016 | 45 |
| 2017 | 39 |
| 2018 | 53 |
| 2019 | 47 |
| 2020 | 46 |
| 2021 | 49 |
| 2022 | 43 |
| 2023 | 43 |
| 2024 | 44 |
| 2025 | 40 |
Top 4 institutions for Ballet, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 65% | — | $24,125 |
| 2 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 86% | $25,823 | — |
| 3 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor's | 5 | 80% | — | $14,831 |
| 4 | Marymount Manhattan College New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 49% | $34,258 | $21,880 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Dance field (CIP 50.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 4 states
Where Ballet graduates come from. Each state links to all Dance programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 1 | 24 | University of Utah24 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 7 | Texas Christian University7 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 5 | Indiana University - Bloomington5 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 4 | Marymount Manhattan College4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2031, Dancers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Ballet program can pursue careers as dancers, choreographers, or postsecondary art, drama, and music teachers. With an annual growth outlook of 4.5% and approximately 1,800 annual openings in related fields, this program offers promising opportunities for aspiring professionals.
Career pathways for CIP 50.0302
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dancersprimary SOC 27-2031 | — | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~1,800 | No formal educational credential |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Choreographers SOC 27-2032 | $55,310 | +6.1% Faster than average | ~700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Ballet programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Dance specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Dance (CIP 50.03).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and physical fitness, among others.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a dancer, choreographer, or a postsecondary teacher in the arts.
What is the job outlook for ballet graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.5% and 1,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Ballet?+
Ballet is CIP 50.0302 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Dance (CIP 50.03). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to express ideals and feelings through interpretation of classical dance choreography. Includes instruction in ballet exercise, solo and ensemble dance, history of ballet, ballet choreography, Laban notation, ballet technique, and interpretations of specific styles and schools.
How many institutions offer Ballet programs?+
4 U.S. institutions reported Ballet graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 40 credentials in the year. That is 1.3% of all Dance graduates.
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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