by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 303 U.S. colleges awarded 3,317 degrees and certificates in Dance. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 80% of graduates. College Factual ranks 98 schools in its 2027 Best Dance Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $23,231 one year after completing, rising to $42,175 after four years.
Do you have a passion for dance? Do you envision yourself performing on stage or choreographing routines? A degree in Dance may be for you.
Students who major in Dance take classes in the many different styles including jazz, ballet, hip hop, modern, tap, ethnic, and folk dance to continue training in a field they are passionate about. Since a career in dance is extremely competitive, students who pursue this degree to become professional dancers and choreographers have been training for years and have a genuine talent for the art.
Since there are many styles of dance, students often focus on a specific area once entering college. Along with the general Dance major, a popular area of study is Ballet.
A degree in Dance involves the study of Dance.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., dance draws strong interest, with 3,317 degrees awarded annually. 303 colleges award dance degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 76.
By level, the 3,317 awards include 58 certificates, 210 associate degrees, 2,669 bachelor’s degrees, 373 master’s degrees and 5 doctorates.
Women earned 90% of dance degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,974 of 3,317). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,771) and Hispanic or Latino (534), and international students earned 152.
College Factual ranks 98 schools in its 2027 Best Dance Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees, 92 for bachelor’s degrees and 5 for master’s degrees. It also ranks dance schools within 28 states. In all, 303 colleges offer dance programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Dance Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common dance credential is the bachelor’s degree: 2,669 of the 3,317 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to dance call most for Speaking, Instructing and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Fine Arts, Education and Training and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Students who pursue a career in dance have typically been taking classes and been involved in performing from a young age. They have excellent balance and coordination to ensure they can move their bodies quickly and fluidly while performing. Creativity allows dancers and choreographers to create new styles and moves. Other necessary skills include persistence and stamina for long rehearsals, leadership for directing dances, and a passion for the art.
A career in dance is fulltime and can often lead to long hours. Those in companies or involved in performing arts studios may practice during the day and perform at night. Irregular hours are common when working with others and scheduling around other responsibilities. Choreographers at studios may work typical workdays, but spend hours at night or on weekends creating new routines.
Training for a career in dance usually starts at a young age, but some students have begun training in high school. Participation in junior dance companies or summer training programs allows students to gain more experience and improve their skills before pursuing a degree.
Since a career in dance is typically short, some Dance majors pursue a degree in another field for a later career.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a dance degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 58 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 210 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,669 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 373 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to dance, at 33.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 33.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 20.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 13.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 7.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| Some college courses | 2.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Dance, with an average median salary of $76,848; the strongest outlook belongs to Choreographers, at 14.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Dance Instructor, Piano Teacher, Adjunct Instructor and Visual Arts Instructor.
Dance graduates work for a variety of performing arts studios around the world. Some dance majors have become members of a company, such as the New York City Ballet, while other pursue careers as cruise ship, theme park, or casino performers.
Choreographers find work at dance studios, with professional companies, on Broadway, or at a variety of smaller entertainment companies. Dance and choreography is found in many areas of entertainment, giving dance graduates a variety of job opportunities.
Although the career is growing at an average pace, there is intense competition for positions in performing arts companies or as choreographers. Many people want to perform or choreograph, but there are only a limited number of positions available.
The occupation related to dance with the most projected jobs is Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,074,154.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Choreographers | 365,704 | 14.8% |
| Dancers | 244,405 | 0.9% |
Dance graduates earn a median $23,231 one year after completing their program, $42,175 after four years and $34,620 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $23,231 |
| 4 years | $42,175 |
| 5 years | $34,620 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to dance, with a median salary of $109,380.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Choreographers | $109,380 |
| Dancers | $74,180 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
Dance includes 3 concentrations that together award 3,317 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Dance, General (3,109), Dance, Other (166) and Ballet (42). It has 10 similar majors in the Visual & Performing Arts field, which together award 154,953 degrees a year; the largest are Design and Applied Arts (39,906), Fine and Studio Arts (39,642) and Music (26,269). Browse all Visual & Performing Arts majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dance, General | 3,109 |
| Dance, Other | 166 |
| Ballet | 42 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | 39,906 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 39,642 |
| Music | 26,269 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 19,222 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 16,328 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 7,856 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 4,713 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | 964 |
| Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry | 46 |
| Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art | 7 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
