2026 Best Value Dance Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value dance schools in the Far Western Region. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Dance graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Dance graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $24,087 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #2 place for dance. 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, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $30,686. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

3

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned it the #3 place for dance. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Dance graduates carry a median of $24,652 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $20,417. Set against $24,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

4

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for dance. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $20,080. 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. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

5

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #6 among the best values for dance. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $19,187. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $40,040. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

7

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #7 spot for dance value this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $15,501 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.

8

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #8 spot for dance value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $19,309. Dance graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $19,787 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,309 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

9

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California landed the #9 spot for dance value this year. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Dance graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Saint Marys College Of California generally make around $70,806. That is a strong return on a $25,041 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California landed the #10 spot for dance value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Dance graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $25,653. Set against $15,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.

11

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University came in at #11 for value in dance this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Dance graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Dance graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $19,107 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants.

12

California Institute Of The Arts
Valencia, CA

California Institute Of The Arts ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. Located in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,996. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $26,031. Dance graduates of California Institute Of The Arts earn a median of $22,475 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 32%.

13

Cornish College Of The Arts
Seattle, WA

Cornish College Of The Arts landed the #13 spot for dance value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Cornish College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,684. Dance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Dance graduates of Cornish College Of The Arts earn a median of $27,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.

14

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University came in at #14 for value in dance this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,984. Dance graduates carry a median of $23,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $21,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chapman University admits about 65% of applicants.