by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Ballet explores Ballet. 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. Read on to learn the key facts every ballet student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering ballet programs.
In the U.S., ballet is a widely-pursued major, with 45 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Ballet Schools ranking analyzes these 4 schools to determine the best overall colleges for ballet students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of ballet programs later in this article.
Coursework for Ballet build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations ballet graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a ballet program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a ballet major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several ballet 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 43 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to ballet 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in ballet careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in ballet can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to ballet.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to ballet.
| 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of ballet graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 ballet graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers ballet grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Choreographers | $109,380 |
| Dancers | $74,180 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 4 different ballet programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased ballet school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in ballet, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dance, General | 3,076 |
| Dance, Other | 153 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
