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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Dance Schools in California

10 Colleges in the United States
252 General Dance Degrees Awarded
$31,592 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Dance degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 77 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general dance schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Dance in California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general dance degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Dance

1

Leading the list is Saint Marys College Of California, our #1 school for general dance. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. Saint Marys College Of California graduates 70% of students within six years. Saint Marys College Of California awarded about 17 general dance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general dance program make about $70,806 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general dance from Saint Marys College Of California

2

University Of California Santa Barbara is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general dance, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 general dance degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general dance degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. See the full general dance program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

3

Students looking for a strong general dance program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 22 general dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general dance degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $25,653. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans. Get the full general dance details for University Of Southern California

4

Chapman University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general dance schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. Chapman University awarded about 35 general dance degrees in the most recent data year. General Dance graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $21,275 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,624. Read more about the general dance program at Chapman University

5

Students looking for a strong general dance program will find one at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 41 general dance degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Graduates of the general dance program make about $28,112 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $20,080 in student loans. More information about a degree in general dance from University Of California Irvine

6

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general dance schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 18 general dance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general dance program make about $19,787 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,309 to complete this degree. Get the full general dance details for University Of California Los Angeles

7

Loyola Marymount University placed #7 among the best general dance schools. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 11 general dance students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general dance program make about $19,107 in their early career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Get the full general dance details for Loyola Marymount University

8

California State University Fullerton placed #8 among the best general dance schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 16 general dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general dance degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $24,087. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full general dance program report for California State University Fullerton

9

California State University Long Beach earned the #9 position for general dance this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 36 general dance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general dance program make about $30,686 in their early career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full general dance program report for California State University Long Beach

10

University Of California Riverside came in at #10 for general dance this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. University Of California Riverside awarded about 14 general dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general dance degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $40,040. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. See the full general dance program report for University Of California Riverside

11

California Institute Of The Arts landed the #11 spot for general dance this year. Located in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. California Institute Of The Arts awarded about 21 general dance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general dance degree from California Institute Of The Arts earn around $22,475 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,031. Get the full general dance details for California Institute Of The Arts

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 77 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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