2026 Best Dance Schools in New York

1

New York University
New York, NY

Leading the list is New York University, our #1 school for dance. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 73 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from New York University earn around $36,556 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,004 to complete this degree. Get the full dance details for New York University

2

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Students looking for a strong dance program will find one at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 dance students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from Cuny Hunter College earn around $51,372 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,091. Get the full dance details for Cuny Hunter College

3

Fordham University
Bronx, NY

A rank of #3 makes Fordham University one of the top schools for dance. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 dance students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from Fordham University earn around $20,381 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full dance details for Fordham University

4

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Students looking for a strong dance program will find one at University At Buffalo, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. University At Buffalo awarded about 10 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from University At Buffalo earn around $17,110 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full dance program report for University At Buffalo

5

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in dance, ranking #5. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 14 dance degrees were awarded at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent year. Students who receive their dance degree from Cuny Lehman College earn around $27,843 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,994. Read more about the dance program at Cuny Lehman College

6

Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University placed #6 among the best dance schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 dance degrees were awarded at Hofstra University in the most recent year. Graduates of the dance program make about $55,705 in their early career. Hofstra University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full dance program report for Hofstra University

7

Pace University New York
New York, NY

Pace University New York placed #7 among the best dance schools. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 dance degrees were awarded at Pace University New York in the most recent year. Dance graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $19,614 early in their careers. Pace University New York graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in dance from Pace University New York

8

Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University landed the #8 spot for dance this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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

9

Marymount Manhattan College
New York, NY

Marymount Manhattan College landed the #9 spot for dance this year. Set in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 dance students who graduated with this degree at Marymount Manhattan College in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of Marymount Manhattan College earn a median of $21,880 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full dance program report for Marymount Manhattan College

10

Suny At Purchase College
Purchase, NY

Suny At Purchase College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best dance schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Purchase. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 40 dance degrees were awarded at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent year. Graduates of the dance program make about $12,039 in their early career. Suny At Purchase College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full dance details for Suny At Purchase College

11

American Musical And Dramatic Academy
New York, NY

American Musical And Dramatic Academy landed the #11 spot for dance this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 dance degrees were awarded at American Musical And Dramatic Academy in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from American Musical And Dramatic Academy generally make around $15,881. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the dance program at American Musical And Dramatic Academy

12

The Juilliard School
New York, NY

The Juilliard School landed the #12 spot for dance this year. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The Juilliard School graduates 91% of students within six years. About 20 dance degrees were awarded at The Juilliard School in the most recent year. Dance graduates of The Juilliard School earn a median of $14,220 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the dance program at The Juilliard School

13

The Ailey School
New York, NY

The Ailey School came in at #13 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. Graduates of the dance program make about $13,598 in their early career. The Ailey School graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in dance from The Ailey School