by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 5 U.S. colleges awarded 39 degrees and certificates in Dance Therapy. College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Dance Therapy Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $66,380 one year after completing, rising to $75,072 after four years.
A major in Dance Therapy involves the study of Dance Therapy/therapist. A Program That Prepares Individuals, In Consultation With Other Rehabilitation Team Members Or In Private Practice, To Use The Therapeutic Application Of Creative Dance Movement To Assist In Promoting Client Rehabilitation And Physical, Emotional, And Mental Health. Includes Instruction In Neuroanatomy, Personality Development, Movement And Motor Behavior, Psychology, Dance, Creative Expression Modalities, Improvisation, Group Psychology And Leadership, Client Evaluation And Supervision, Dance Therapy Practice, And Professional Standards And Ethics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., dance therapy is a widely-pursued major, with 39 degrees awarded annually. 5 colleges award dance therapy degrees, an average of 8 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 17.
All 39 of the awards are master’s degrees, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 95% of dance therapy degrees and certificates in the latest year (37 of 39). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (25) and Hispanic or Latino (7), and international students earned 5.
College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Dance Therapy Schools ranking, including 1 for master’s degrees. In all, 5 colleges offer dance therapy programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Dance Therapy Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
O*NET rates Active Listening the most important skill for jobs related to dance therapy, at 4.1 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are Psychology, Therapy and Counseling and English Language. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a dance therapy degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 39 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to dance therapy, at 47.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 47.4% |
| Master’s degree | 31.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Dance Therapy, with an average median salary of $70,208; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapist, Home Care Music Therapist and Music Rehabilitation Therapist.
The occupation related to dance therapy with the most projected jobs is Music Therapists, at 3,083,788.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Music Therapists | 3,083,788 | 4.9% |
| Therapists, All Other | 2,758,134 | -2.9% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Art Therapists | 715,793 | 1.6% |
Dance Therapy graduates earn a median $66,380 one year after completing their program, $75,072 after four years and $74,465 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $66,380 |
| 4 years | $75,072 |
| 5 years | $74,465 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to dance therapy is Therapists, All Other, with a median salary of $121,750.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Therapists, All Other | $121,750 |
| Music Therapists | $71,670 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Art Therapists | $40,748 |
Dance Therapy has 15 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 28,867 degrees a year; the largest are Physical Therapy/Therapist (13,798), Occupational Therapy/Therapist (9,835) and Rehabilitation Science (1,028). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy/Therapist | 13,798 |
| Occupational Therapy/Therapist | 9,835 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 1,028 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor | 939 |
| Art Therapy/Therapist | 686 |
| Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 640 |
| Music Therapy/Therapist | 639 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other | 582 |
| Orthotist/Prosthetist | 302 |
| Animal-Assisted Therapy | 115 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
