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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Dance Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

27 Colleges in the United States
647 Dance Degrees Awarded
$32,407 Avg Early-Career Salary

Dance degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their dance programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 69 schools to find the best for dance students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Dance in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall dance education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Dance

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Maryland College Park the best school in the country for a degree in dance. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students 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. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete this degree. Get the full dance details for University Of Maryland College Park

2
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in dance, ranking #2. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 dance students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $50,370 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full dance details for Towson University

3
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #3 spot this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. New York University awarded about 73 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from New York University generally make around $36,556. New York University graduates carry a median of $23,004 in student loans. More information about a degree in dance from New York University

4
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the top schools for dance. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 dance students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $51,372 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,091. See the full dance program report for Cuny Hunter College

5

Students looking for a strong dance program will find one at Fordham University, which ranked #5. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 37 dance students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $20,381 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the dance program at Fordham University

6

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #6 spot for dance this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 dance degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Graduates of the dance program make about $58,402 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,879 to complete this degree. Get the full dance details for Rutgers University New Brunswick

7
Muhlenberg College crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA

Muhlenberg College landed the #7 spot for dance this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Allentown. About 82% of students finish within six years. Muhlenberg College awarded about 10 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $26,415 in their early career. Muhlenberg College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the dance program at Muhlenberg College

8

University At Buffalo landed the #8 spot for dance this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. University At Buffalo graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 dance students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $17,110 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full dance program report for University At Buffalo

9

Cuny Lehman College placed #9 among the best dance schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 dance students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $27,843. Typical student debt for the program is $11,994. Get the full dance details for Cuny Lehman College

10

University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #10 for dance this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Baltimore. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 dance degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete this degree. Get the full dance details for University Of Maryland Baltimore County

11
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University came in at #11 for dance this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hempstead. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 15 dance students who graduated with this degree at Hofstra University in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $55,705 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dance from Hofstra University

12

Pace University New York ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pace University New York awarded about 29 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $19,614 in their early career. Pace University New York graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full dance program report for Pace University New York

13
Rider University crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University earned the #13 position for dance this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Rider University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 dance students who graduated with this degree at Rider University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $24,515. Students borrow a median of $26,241 to complete this degree. Read more about the dance program at Rider University

14
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University earned the #14 position for dance this year. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 dance students who graduated with this degree at Adelphi University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from Adelphi University earn around $51,037 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,487. More information about a degree in dance from Adelphi University

15

Montclair State University came in at #15 for dance this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Montclair State University awarded about 41 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $23,191. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full dance program report for Montclair State University

16

New Jersey City University landed the #16 spot for dance this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. About 34% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 dance students who graduated with this degree at New Jersey City University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $47,083. Typical student debt for the program is $22,107. More information about a degree in dance from New Jersey City University

17

Marymount Manhattan College landed the #17 spot for dance this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 dance students who graduated with this degree at Marymount Manhattan College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $21,880 in their early career. Marymount Manhattan College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full dance details for Marymount Manhattan College

18

Suny At Purchase College placed #18 among the best dance schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Purchase. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 dance students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $12,039 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in dance from Suny At Purchase College

19

Mercyhurst College came in at #19 for dance this year. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Mercyhurst College graduates 64% of students within six years. Mercyhurst College awarded about 15 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from Mercyhurst College earn around $46,009 in the first couple years of their career. Mercyhurst College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in dance from Mercyhurst College

20

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #20 for dance this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Slippery Rock. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 dance students who graduated with this degree at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $19,681. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full dance program report for Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

21
Point Park University crest
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, PA

Point Park University earned the #21 position for dance this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 58% of students finish within six years. Point Park University awarded about 63 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from Point Park University earn around $17,781 in the first couple years of their career. Point Park University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full dance details for Point Park University

22

American Musical And Dramatic Academy landed the #22 spot for dance this year. Set in the city of New York, American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit institution. American Musical And Dramatic Academy graduates 52% of students within six years. About 28 dance degrees were awarded at American Musical And Dramatic Academy in the most recent year. Students who receive their dance degree from American Musical And Dramatic Academy earn around $15,881 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full dance details for American Musical And Dramatic Academy

23
The Juilliard School crest
The Juilliard School
New York, NY

The Juilliard School placed #23 among the best dance schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The Juilliard School awarded about 20 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from The Juilliard School generally make around $14,220. The Juilliard School graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full dance details for The Juilliard School

24
The Ailey School crest
The Ailey School
New York, NY

The Ailey School landed the #24 spot for dance this year. Set in the city of New York, The Ailey School is a small private not-for-profit institution. The Ailey School awarded about 42 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from The Ailey School generally make around $13,598. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the dance program at The Ailey School

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 69 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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