Best institutions to study Dance
Any instructional program in dance not listed above.
26 U.S. institutions graduated 160 Dance students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0399, a specialization of Dance (CIP 50.03), and leads most directly to the Dancers occupation (BLS SOC 27-2031).
About Dance programs
Any instructional program in dance not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Dance program, classified under Visual and Performing Arts, encompasses various instructional methods in dance not specifically categorized elsewhere. This program is designed for individuals passionate about dance who seek to develop their skills and artistic expression through structured training and performance opportunities.
Students in the Dance program acquire essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and physical coordination. Coursework typically includes studying dance techniques, harmonizing movements with music, and understanding the physical capabilities required for various dance styles.
Credentials awarded
What Dance graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year70 graduates / yr · 16 institutions44%
- Bachelor's degree60 graduates / yr · 7 institutions38%
- Master's degree11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions6.9%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years7 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.4%
- Associate's degree6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.8%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.5%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Dance completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2013 | 41 |
| 2014 | 46 |
| 2015 | 60 |
| 2016 | 57 |
| 2017 | 69 |
| 2018 | 105 |
| 2019 | 116 |
| 2020 | 94 |
| 2021 | 84 |
| 2022 | 122 |
| 2023 | 104 |
| 2024 | 149 |
| 2025 | 160 |
Top 26 institutions for Dance, 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 | American Musical and Dramatic Academy New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 28 | 72% | $40,932 | $15,881 |
| 2 | Palomar College San Marcos, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 12 | 38% | — | — |
| 3 | Aria University Milpitas, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 48% | — | — |
| 5 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 58% | — | $21,540 |
| 6 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 51% | — | $20,417 |
| 7 | Marymount Manhattan College New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 49% | $34,258 | $21,880 |
| 8 | Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 26% | — | — |
| 9 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 7 | 48% | — | — |
| 10 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 11 | Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 57% | — | — |
| 12 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 13 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 45% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 49% | — | $25,456 |
| 15 | Glendale Community College Glendale, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 4 | 37% | — | — |
| 16 | Irvine Valley College Irvine, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 57% | — | — |
| 17 | Brenau University Gainesville, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 33% | $21,115 | — |
| 18 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicMaster's | 4 | 69% | — | — |
| 19 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 36% | — | — |
| 20 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 3 | 59% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 90% | — | — |
| 22 | West Valley College Saratoga, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 51% | — | — |
| 23 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicDoctoral | 1 | 76% | — | — |
| 24 | Cerritos College Norwalk, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 31% | — | — |
| 25 | MiraCosta College Oceanside, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 41% | — | — |
| 26 | Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 70% | $25,578 | — |
* 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 11 states
Where Dance graduates come from. Each state links to all Dance programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 13 | 62 | Palomar College12 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 36 | American Musical and Dramatic Academy28 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 12 | Western Michigan University9 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 8 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee5 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 8 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas8 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 7 | The University of Montana7 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 7 | Drexel University7 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 6 | Pittsburg State University6 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 6 | Brigham Young University6 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 4 | Brenau University4 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 4 | Towson University4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2031, Dancers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Dance program can pursue careers as dancers, choreographers, or postsecondary art, drama, and music teachers. The job outlook for dancers is projected to grow by 4.5%, with about 1,800 annual openings. Most positions do not require formal educational credentials.
Career pathways for CIP 50.0399
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 Dance 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 an Award of at least 12 weeks, a Bachelor's degree, or a Master's degree.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 26 colleges offering the Dance program across the United States.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and physical coordination, among others.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Career options include dancers, choreographers, and art teachers, with a positive job outlook.
What is the CIP code for Dance?+
Dance is CIP 50.0399 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Dance (CIP 50.03). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in dance not listed above.
How many institutions offer Dance programs?+
26 U.S. institutions reported Dance graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 11 states, awarding 160 credentials in the year. That is 5.1% 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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