by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you have a passion for dance? Do you envision yourself performing on stage or choreographing routines? A degree in Dance may be for you.
Students who major in Dance take classes in the many different styles including jazz, ballet, hip hop, modern, tap, ethnic, and folk dance to continue training in a field they are passionate about. Since a career in dance is extremely competitive, students who pursue this degree to become professional dancers and choreographers have been training for years and have a genuine talent for the art.
Since there are many styles of dance, students often focus on a specific area once entering college. Along with the general Dance major, a popular area of study is Ballet.
A degree in Dance involves the study of Dance. Continue reading for the key facts every dance student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering dance programs.
In the U.S., dance draws strong interest, with 3,274 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Dance Schools ranking analyzes these 310 schools to determine the best overall colleges for dance students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dance programs later in this article.
Coursework for Dance build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations dance graduates commonly enter.
Students who pursue a career in dance have typically been taking classes and been involved in performing from a young age. They have excellent balance and coordination to ensure they can move their bodies quickly and fluidly while performing. Creativity allows dancers and choreographers to create new styles and moves. Other necessary skills include persistence and stamina for long rehearsals, leadership for directing dances, and a passion for the art.
A career in dance is fulltime and can often lead to long hours. Those in companies or involved in performing arts studios may practice during the day and perform at night. Irregular hours are common when working with others and scheduling around other responsibilities. Choreographers at studios may work typical workdays, but spend hours at night or on weekends creating new routines.
Training for a career in dance usually starts at a young age, but some students have begun training in high school. Participation in junior dance companies or summer training programs allows students to gain more experience and improve their skills before pursuing a degree.
Since a career in dance is typically short, some Dance majors pursue a degree in another field for a later career.
Skills built by a dance program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a dance major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several dance 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 64 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 181 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,685 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 326 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 11 |
People currently working in careers related to dance tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 33.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 20.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 13.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 7.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| Some college courses | 2.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in dance careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Dance graduates work for a variety of performing arts studios around the world. Some dance majors have become members of a company, such as the New York City Ballet, while other pursue careers as cruise ship, theme park, or casino performers.
Choreographers find work at dance studios, with professional companies, on Broadway, or at a variety of smaller entertainment companies. Dance and choreography is found in many areas of entertainment, giving dance graduates a variety of job opportunities.
Although the career is growing at an average pace, there is intense competition for positions in performing arts companies or as choreographers. Many people want to perform or choreograph, but there are only a limited number of positions available.
A degree in dance prepares you for numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to dance.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dance.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Choreographers | 365,704 | 14.8% |
| Dancers | 244,405 | 0.9% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of dance graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $23,231 |
| 4 years | $30,807 |
| 5 years | $34,462 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for dance graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers dance grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Choreographers | $109,380 |
| Dancers | $74,180 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 310 different dance programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased dance school rankings to help you.
Those considering dance, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dance, General | 3,076 |
| Dance, Other | 153 |
| Ballet | 45 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | 38,798 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 37,770 |
| Music | 25,853 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 18,927 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 16,640 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 7,225 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 4,430 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | 941 |
| Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry | 67 |
| Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art | 12 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
