[General Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/general-dance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 358 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general dance schools.
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Finding the Best Value General Dance School for You
The general dance program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value General Dance Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Dance Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in general dance in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for general dance graduates is $11,091. General Dance graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for general dance. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. General Dance graduates carry a median of $11,994 in student loans. General Dance graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $27,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,994 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general dance will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for general dance graduates is $25,000. General Dance graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $24,087 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general dance schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the general dance program here. General Dance graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $16,639 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #5 place for general dance. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for general dance graduates is $20,500. Early-career general dance graduates make about $30,686. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #6 spot for general dance value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. General Dance graduates carry a median of $21,706 in student loans. General Dance graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $21,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,706 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Utah Valley University landed the #7 spot for general dance value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general dance graduates is $16,478. Early-career general dance graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Irvine landed the #8 spot for general dance value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. General Dance graduates carry a median of $20,080 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general dance degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $28,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Texas Womans University earned the #9 position for value in general dance this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. General Dance graduates carry a median of $21,953 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general dance degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $29,634. Set against $21,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #10 among the best values for general dance. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for general dance graduates is $25,000. Early-career general dance graduates make about $24,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general dance schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. General Dance graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Early-career general dance graduates make about $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #12 for value in general dance this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for general dance graduates is $24,652. General Dance graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $20,417 early in their careers. Set against $24,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #13 position for value in general dance this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general dance graduates is $13,287. Soon after graduation, general dance degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Utah placed #14 among the best values for general dance. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,269 to complete the general dance program here. Early-career general dance graduates make about $24,125. Set against $17,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #15 spot for general dance value this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for general dance graduates is $15,501. Early-career general dance graduates make about $45,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in general dance this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general dance graduates is $24,545. Soon after graduation, general dance degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $16,389. That is a strong return on a $24,545 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #17 among the best values for general dance. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. General Dance graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. General Dance graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $27,310 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #18 spot for general dance value this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. General Dance graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. General Dance graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Georgia earned the #19 position for value in general dance this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for general dance graduates is $21,792. General Dance graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
West Virginia University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general dance schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general dance graduates is $23,772. Early-career general dance graduates make about $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
New Jersey City University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general dance schools. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete the general dance program here. Soon after graduation, general dance degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $47,083. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #22 spot for general dance value this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the general dance program here. General Dance graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts placed #23 among the best values for general dance. Located in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,477, while out-of-state students pay about $27,211. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general dance program here. Soon after graduation, general dance degree recipients from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts generally make around $14,201. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 30%.
University Of California Riverside placed #24 among the best values for general dance. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the general dance program here. Early-career general dance graduates make about $40,040. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Western Kentucky University landed the #25 spot for general dance value this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for general dance graduates is $24,499. General Dance graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Dance Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general dance:
General Dance is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 358 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 94 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[General Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/general-dance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
