HUMANITIES Specialization

Dance

Dance graduates earn $39,980 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $24,910 and $57,333. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Dance

Dance is a focused area of study within Visual & Performing Arts. Graduates typically earn around $39,980 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 363 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 3,233 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $21,880
Median Earnings · 4yr: $39,980
Colleges Offering: 363
Graduates / Year: 3,233
Avg Net Price / yr: $22,027

How Much Do Dance Graduates Earn?

Dance graduates earn $39,980 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $24,910 and $57,333. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $21,880 climbs to $39,980 by year four.

$21,880

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$39,980

4-Year National Median

Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.

$40,797

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a moderate earnings spread across Dance graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.

$24,910 25th pct.

$39,980 Median

$57,333 75th pct.

Is the Cost Worth It?

At median 4-year earnings of $39,980 and an estimated $88,108 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 8.8 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 284 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 3,233 students who complete Dance programs each year, the majority (84%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

84%

Bachelor's 84%

Master's 8%

Associate's 5%

What Can You Do With a Dance Degree?

Dance connects to 2 occupations in the job market. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary leads at $78,620/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +1.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

$78,620

$62K $104K 25th–75th pct.

Master's degree 9,000 openings/yr 94K employed nationally

Speaking Instructing Learning Strategies Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, performances, projects, assignments, and papers.
Prepare students for performances, exams, or assessments.

↗ +4.5% Zone 3: Medium preparation

Dancers

No formal educational credential 1,800 openings/yr 8K employed nationally

Active Listening Critical Thinking Coordination Social Perceptiveness Time Management

Day-to-day responsibilities

Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.

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.

Top Colleges for Dance

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Dance students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Point Park University Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit	71	96.9%	$25,942	$45,856
2	New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit	70	9.2%	$37,050	$82,509
3	University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT · Public	48	86%	$16,200	$67,170
4	University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA · Public	43	28.6%	$14,251	$80,735
5	California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA · Public	41	46.3%	$10,440	$64,403
6	SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NY · Public	41	74.1%	$18,913	$45,092
7	Dean College Franklin, MA · Nonprofit	39	73.7%	$30,684	$38,109
8	Marymount Manhattan College New York, NY · Nonprofit	38	82.6%	$36,861	$49,131
9	University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public	37	86.1%	$16,674	$59,979
10	Texas State University San Marcos, TX · Public	36	89.3%	$16,805	$56,906
11	Berklee College of Music Boston, MA · Nonprofit	36	43.5%	$49,465	$33,647
12	University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public	35	24.2%	$6,541	$71,588
13	Montclair State University Montclair, NJ · Public	35	87.9%	$15,566	$61,415
14	Texas Woman's University Denton, TX · Public	35	96.1%	$11,963	$56,544
15	Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX · Public	34	90.3%	$16,404	$54,211
16	University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, NC · Public	34	30%	$14,906	$38,357
17	The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL · Public	33	76.7%	$22,420	$59,221
18	Chapman University Orange, CA · Nonprofit	33	65.4%	$46,555	$70,070
19	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public	31	60.6%	$17,339	$60,409
20	Brigham Young University Provo, UT · Nonprofit	29	67.8%	$15,564	$75,790

View all colleges

Ranked by Dance graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Dance program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Dance degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Dance Degree: Pros & Cons

Dance carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 2 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $21,880 at graduation to $39,980 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 10,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Below-average earnings Four-year median of $39,980 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Long earnings breakeven At median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 8.8 years.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($24,910) and 75th ($57,333) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Dance Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Dance graduates earn?

Dance graduates earn a national median of $39,980 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $24,910 and $57,333. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Dance degree?

One year after graduation, Dance degree holders earn a median of $21,880. That climbs to $39,980 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Dance degree?

Dance degree holders pursue careers including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, which pays a median of $78,620/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a Dance program take?

A Dance bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.

How many colleges offer Dance?

363 colleges and universities in the United States offer Dance programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Dance degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $39,980 and an average net price of roughly $22,027/yr, a Dance degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between Dance and Visual & Performing Arts?

Dance is a focused concentration within the broader Visual & Performing Arts field. The Visual & Performing Arts major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Dance-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in Dance graduates?

Employers hiring Dance graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.

What is the job outlook for Dance graduates?

The job outlook for Dance graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.1% job growth over the next 10 years. Dancers is among the strongest-growth roles at +4.5%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.