2026 Best Dance Schools in California

1

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in dance. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Marys College Of California awarded about 17 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $70,806 early in their careers. Saint Marys College Of California graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. See the full dance program report for Saint Marys College Of California

2

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

Students looking for a strong dance program will find one at University Of California Santa Barbara, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 21 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, 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. More information about a degree in dance from University Of California Santa Barbara

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for dance. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. 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. See the full dance program report for University Of Southern California

4

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 dance students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $21,275. Students borrow a median of $23,624 to complete this degree. Get the full dance details for Chapman University

5

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 41 dance degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their dance degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $28,112 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,080. See the full dance program report for University Of California Irvine

6

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #6 spot for dance this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 18 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $19,787 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $19,309 in student loans. Read more about the dance program at University Of California Los Angeles

7

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 11 dance students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $19,107. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Read more about the dance program at Loyola Marymount University

8

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 16 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $24,087. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the dance program at California State University Fullerton

9

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 36 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $30,686 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in dance from California State University Long Beach

10

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #10 for dance this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Riverside awarded about 19 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $40,040. Typical student debt for the program is $19,187. Get the full dance details for University Of California Riverside

11

California Institute Of The Arts
Valencia, CA

California Institute Of The Arts came in at #11 for dance this year. California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 21 dance degrees were awarded at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from California Institute Of The Arts generally make around $22,475. Typical student debt for the program is $26,031. Read more about the dance program at California Institute Of The Arts