Dance is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 364 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best dance schools.
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Choosing a Great Dance School
Where you study dance matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Dance rankings. For our Best Overall Dance School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Dance Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than Saint Marys College Of California this year for dance. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Moraga. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 17 dance students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $70,806 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,041.
Get the full dance details for Saint Marys College Of California
University Of California Santa Barbara is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in 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. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 21 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $45,488 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,501.
See the full dance program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in dance, ranking #3. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 22 dance degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the dance program make about $25,653 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans.
Read more about the dance program at University Of Southern California
The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 dance students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $57,819 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275.
More information about a degree in dance from The University Of Texas At Austin
Students looking for a strong dance program will find one at Southern Methodist University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Southern Methodist University awarded about 13 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $70,632 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712.
Read more about the dance program at Southern Methodist University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 14 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $65,681 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete this degree.
Read more about the dance program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #7 for dance this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $31,597 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Get the full dance details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Georgia came in at #8 for dance this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in dance from University Of Georgia
University Of Maryland College Park placed #9 among the best dance schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 18 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836.
Read more about the dance program at University Of Maryland College Park
Chapman University earned the #10 position for dance this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 dance students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $21,275 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,624.
More information about a degree in dance from Chapman University
Arizona State University landed the #11 spot for dance this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 dance students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from Arizona State University earn around $27,310 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete this degree.
Get the full dance details for Arizona State University
University Of California Irvine landed the #12 spot for dance this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 41 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $28,112. Students borrow a median of $20,080 to complete this degree.
See the full dance program report for University Of California Irvine
Florida State University earned the #13 position for dance this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 26 dance degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $21,877. Students borrow a median of $21,706 to complete this degree.
Get the full dance details for Florida State University
University Of Utah placed #14 among the best dance schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Utah awarded about 46 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $24,125. Students borrow a median of $17,269 to complete this degree.
See the full dance program report for University Of Utah
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 dance degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the dance program make about $19,787 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,309.
More information about a degree in dance from University Of California Los Angeles
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for dance this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 47 dance degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Dance graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $21,167 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
Get the full dance details for Ohio State University Main Campus
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 41 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $38,967. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
See the full dance program report for Texas State University San Marcos
University Of Arizona landed the #18 spot for dance this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 43 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $24,826. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $20,616 in student loans.
More information about a degree in dance from University Of Arizona
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 15 dance degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their dance degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $57,461 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,061 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in dance from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Texas Christian University earned the #20 position for dance this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 dance students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete this degree.
Get the full dance details for Texas Christian University
Loyola Marymount University earned the #21 position for dance this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 11 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $19,107 in their early career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
Read more about the dance program at Loyola Marymount University
University Of Iowa landed the #22 spot for dance this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $30,353. Students borrow a median of $24,375 to complete this degree.
See the full dance program report for University Of Iowa
California State University Fullerton ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 dance students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $24,087 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in dance from California State University Fullerton
Towson University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. Towson University awarded about 23 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in dance from Towson University
University Of North Texas placed #25 among the best dance schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $25,034 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
Get the full dance details for University Of North Texas
Rest of the Top 50 Dance Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s dance ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 364 schools evaluated.
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).
