by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Dance Therapy involves the study of Dance Therapy/therapist. A Program That Prepares Individuals, In Consultation With Other Rehabilitation Team Members Or In Private Practice, To Use The Therapeutic Application Of Creative Dance Movement To Assist In Promoting Client Rehabilitation And Physical, Emotional, And Mental Health. Includes Instruction In Neuroanatomy, Personality Development, Movement And Motor Behavior, Psychology, Dance, Creative Expression Modalities, Improvisation, Group Psychology And Leadership, Client Evaluation And Supervision, Dance Therapy Practice, And Professional Standards And Ethics. Read on to learn the essential details every dance therapy student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering dance therapy programs.
In the U.S., dance therapy is a widely-pursued major, with 48 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Dance Therapy Schools ranking analyzes these 5 schools to determine the best overall colleges for dance therapy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dance therapy programs later in this article.
Programs in Dance Therapy develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations dance therapy graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a dance therapy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a dance therapy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several dance therapy degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 48 |
People currently working in careers related to dance therapy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 47.4% |
| Master’s degree | 31.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in dance therapy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying dance therapy can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to dance therapy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dance therapy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Music Therapists | 3,083,788 | 4.9% |
| Therapists, All Other | 2,758,134 | -2.9% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Art Therapists | 715,793 | 1.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of dance therapy graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,332 |
| 4 years | $70,102 |
| 5 years | $75,167 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for dance therapy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers dance therapy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Therapists, All Other | $121,750 |
| Music Therapists | $71,670 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Art Therapists | $40,748 |
With 5 different dance therapy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased dance therapy school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in dance therapy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy/Therapist | 13,424 |
| Occupational Therapy/Therapist | 10,460 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 1,107 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor | 941 |
| Art Therapy/Therapist | 768 |
| Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 722 |
| Music Therapy/Therapist | 651 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other | 621 |
| Orthotist/Prosthetist | 408 |
| Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist | 121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
