by our College Data Analytics Team
[Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dance education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 364 schools to find the best return on investment for dance students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the dance degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in dance, no school beat Hollins University this year. Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Roanoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,560. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $26,798. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Hollins University admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Jacksonville University one of the best values for dance. Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $48,150 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,619 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $46,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Jacksonville University admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Marys College Of California earned it the #3 place for dance. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $70,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Marys College Of California admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in dance will find it at New York University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,004 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $36,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Dance rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 364 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.