by our College Data Analytics Team
[Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value dance schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dance, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in dance, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Dance graduates carry a median of $24,190 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $39,724. That is a strong return on a $24,190 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #3 makes University At Buffalo one of the best values for dance. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $17,110 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Dance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career dance graduates make about $12,039. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in dance will find it at Pace University New York, which ranked #5. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,510. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the dance program here. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $19,614. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.
Skidmore College landed the #6 spot for dance value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,140. Dance graduates carry a median of $18,274 in student loans. Dance graduates of Skidmore College earn a median of $34,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University earned the #7 position for value in dance this year. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,660 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the dance program here. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $55,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Marymount Manhattan College came in at #8 for value in dance this year. Set in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,870. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $21,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
New York University earned the #9 position for value in dance this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,004 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of New York University earn a median of $36,556 early in their careers. Set against $23,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
The Ailey School landed the #10 spot for dance value this year. The Ailey School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,817. Dance graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career dance graduates make about $13,598. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 32% of applicants are accepted.
American Musical And Dramatic Academy ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. Located in the city of New York, American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,928. Dance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Dance graduates of American Musical And Dramatic Academy earn a median of $15,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The Juilliard School earned the #12 position for value in dance this year. Located in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,950 in tuition and fees. Dance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from The Juilliard School generally make around $14,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Fordham University came in at #13 for value in dance this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $26,000. Early-career dance graduates make about $20,381. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.