2026 Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best dance schools. This very large public university is 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. Students who receive their dance degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $21,167 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full dance program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for dance. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 15 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Students borrow a median of $19,061 to complete this degree. See the full dance program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

A rank of #3 makes University Of Cincinnati Main Campus one of the top schools for dance. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 11 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $58,659 in their early career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Get the full dance details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

4

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 15 dance students who graduated with this degree at Butler University in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. Butler University graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. More information about a degree in dance from Butler University

5

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

A rank of #5 makes Ball State University one of the top schools for dance. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 dance students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $28,838 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,518. Get the full dance details for Ball State University

6

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #6 position for dance this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 dance students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $14,831 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dance from Indiana University Bloomington

7

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #7 spot for dance this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee awarded about 20 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $25,456 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the dance program at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

8

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University came in at #8 for dance this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 dance degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their dance degree from Wayne State University earn around $23,626 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the dance program at Wayne State University

9

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University placed #9 among the best dance schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. Grand Valley State University awarded about 11 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,179. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. Get the full dance details for Grand Valley State University

10

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University placed #10 among the best dance schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Western Michigan University awarded about 33 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $21,540 in their early career. Western Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the dance program at Western Michigan University

11

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago came in at #11 for dance this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 dance students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $29,160 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full dance details for Columbia College Chicago