by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 296 U.S. colleges awarded 3,109 degrees and certificates in General Dance. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 83% of graduates. College Factual ranks 95 schools in its 2027 Best General 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.
A degree in General Dance involves the study of Dance, General. A General Program That Prepares Individuals To Express Ideas, Feelings, And/or Inner Visions Through The Performance Of One Or More Of The Dance Disciplines, Including But Not Limited To Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Ethnic, And Folk Dance, And That Focuses On The Study And Analysis Of Dance As A Cultural Phenomenon. Includes Instruction In Technique, Choreography, Laban Notation, Dance History And Criticism, And Dance Production. Examples: [Dance Movement Studies].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., general dance is a popular field of study, with 3,109 degrees awarded annually. 296 colleges award general dance degrees, an average of 10 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 76.
By level, the 3,109 awards include 50 certificates, 204 associate degrees, 2,567 bachelor’s degrees, 282 master’s degrees and 4 doctorates.
Women earned 90% of general dance degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,793 of 3,109). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,674) and Hispanic or Latino (498), and international students earned 136.
College Factual ranks 95 schools in its 2027 Best General Dance Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees, 90 for bachelor’s degrees and 5 for master’s degrees. It also ranks general dance schools within 28 states. In all, 296 colleges offer general dance programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Dance Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general dance credential is the bachelor’s degree: 2,567 of the 3,109 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general 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.
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How long a general dance degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 50 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 204 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,567 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 282 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general 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 General 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, Makeup Artistry Instructor, Ballet Professor and Piano Performance Professor.
The occupation related to general 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% |
General 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 general 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 |
General Dance has 2 similar majors in the Visual & Performing Arts field, which together award 208 degrees a year; the largest are Dance, Other (166) and Ballet (42). Browse all Visual & Performing Arts majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dance, Other | 166 |
| Ballet | 42 |
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