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2026 Best Value Dance Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dance Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in dance in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for dance. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $11,994. Early-career dance graduates make about $27,843. That is a strong return on a $11,994 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in dance will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $24,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $16,500. 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.
California State University Long Beach came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $30,686. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
Florida State University placed #6 among the best values for dance. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $21,706. Early-career dance graduates make about $21,877. That is a strong return on a $21,706 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine placed #7 among the best values for dance. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $20,080 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $28,112. That is a strong return on a $20,080 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University landed the #8 spot for dance value this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $21,953. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $29,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #9 spot for dance value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $24,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #10 spot for dance value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Dance graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Dance graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #11 for value in dance this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $24,652. Early-career dance graduates make about $20,417. That is a strong return on a $24,652 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $17,269 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $24,125 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #13 position for value in dance this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #14 among the best values for dance. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $15,501. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. Set against $15,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $24,545. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $16,389. Set against $24,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Arizona State University placed #16 among the best values for dance. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $23,393. 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 ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $22,754. Early-career dance graduates make about $43,575. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Georgia earned the #18 position for value in dance this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Dance graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
New Jersey City University landed the #19 spot for dance value this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $22,107. Early-career dance graduates make about $47,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University placed #20 among the best values for dance. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $23,772. Early-career dance graduates make about $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #21 among the best values for dance. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts landed the #22 spot for dance value this year. Set in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,477 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,211 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts generally make around $14,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 30% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside came in at #23 for value in dance this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Early-career dance graduates make about $40,040. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University landed the #24 spot for dance value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Dance graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #25 spot for dance value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $19,309 in student loans. Early-career dance graduates make about $19,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Dance Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for dance this year:
Other Dance Degree Levels
Explore the best-value dance schools at other degree levels:
[Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dance education at a price that pays off.
