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2023 Best Value Colleges for Dance in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

26 Ranked Colleges
358 Degrees Awarded
$19,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 3,288 people earned their degree in dance, making the major the 158th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, dance graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $22,085 and had an average of $24,389 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 358 dance graduates with average earnings and debt of $22,613 and $26,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 26 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in dance. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality dance programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the dance program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region dance students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Dance in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 10 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also took the #1 spot in our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,234 for great lakes region dance students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Dance Report

2

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s dance degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $14,321 for great lakes region dance students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Dance at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

3

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s dance degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region dance students with aid list, U-M has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $14,878 for great lakes region dance students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Dance Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 17 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $14,619 for great lakes region dance students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full IU Bloomington Dance Report

5
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ball State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Ball State University is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State also made our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $14,765 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Dance at Ball State University

6

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. This medium-sized school is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and it awarded 13 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region dance students with aid list, UW - Stevens Point has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $13,346 for great lakes region dance students with aid.

Read full report on Dance at UW - Stevens Point

7

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 34 degrees to qualified ’s dance students in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State University - Main Campus is $16,845 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Dance at Ohio State University - Main Campus

8
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Western Michigan University is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $20,371 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid per year to attend Western Michigan University.

Read full report on Dance at Western Michigan University

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 27 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UWM, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,486 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

Full UWM Dance Report

10
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

With a ranking of #10, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Wayne State University is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 13 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State is $13,962 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid.

Read full report on Dance at Wayne State University

11
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #11, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 10 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region dance students with aid list, Oakland has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $13,449 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Dance at Oakland University

12

With a ranking of #12, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. GVSU is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 11 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

GVSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $17,356 for great lakes region dance students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Dance at Grand Valley State University

13

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s dance degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UC is $22,415 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Dance at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

14

Youngstown State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Youngstown, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s dance degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

Youngstown State University also made our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $12,225 for great lakes region dance students with aid.

Full Youngstown State University Dance Report

15
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Northwestern University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 2 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region dance students with aid list, Northwestern has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $23,279 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Dance at Northwestern

16

Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. OHIO Athens is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

OHIO Athens not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus is $23,831 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid.

Read more about Dance at Ohio University - Athens Campus

16

Wright State University - Main Campus landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Wright State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Dayton, Ohio that handed out 10 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wright State University - Main Campus, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,962 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid per year to attend Wright State University - Main Campus.

Read full report on Dance at Wright State University - Main Campus

18

University of Michigan - Flint landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UM Flint is a medium-sized school located in Flint, Michigan that handed out 2 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UM Flint is $12,689 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid.

Read full report on Dance at University of Michigan - Flint

19

University of Akron Main Campus ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Akron, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s dance students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Akron Main Campus, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Akron Main Campus is $17,945 for great lakes region dance students with aid.

Read full report on Dance at University of Akron Main Campus

20

Cleveland State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 2 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

Cleveland State University also made our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland State University is $16,943 for great lakes region dance students with aid.

Read full report on Dance at Cleveland State University

21

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Kent, Ohio, this large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s dance students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region dance students with aid list, Kent State has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,117 for great lakes region dance students with aid per year to attend Kent State.

Read more about Dance at Kent State

22

Anderson University Indiana did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Anderson University Indiana is located in Anderson, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s dance degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region dance students with aid list, Anderson University Indiana has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $23,046 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid per year to attend Anderson University Indiana.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Dance at Anderson University Indiana

23
Columbia crest
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 14 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $26,258 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid per year to attend Columbia College Chicago.

Read more about Dance at Columbia College Chicago

24
Kenyon crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio

With a ranking of #24, Kenyon College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Kenyon is a small school located in Gambier, Ohio that handed out 4 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region dance students with aid list, Kenyon has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kenyon is $36,374 for great lakes region dance students with aid.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Dance at Kenyon

25
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 7 ’s dance degrees in 2020-2021.

Loyola Chicago also made our “Best Dance Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Loyola University Chicago is $36,434 for Great Lakes Region Dance students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Dance at Loyola University Chicago

Notes and References

References

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