2027 Best Value Dance Schools in the Southeast Region
[Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dance education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for dance students.
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2027 Best Value Dance Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dance Schools
For return on investment in dance, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $16,639 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida State University one of the best values for dance. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $21,706 in student loans. Early-career dance graduates make about $21,877. That is a strong return on a $21,706 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Dance graduates carry a median of $24,545 in student loans. Dance graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $16,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Dance graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Dance graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $24,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #5 place for dance. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $22,754. Early-career dance graduates make about $43,575. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. Set in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,477, compared with $27,211 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the dance program here. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts generally make around $14,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts admits about 30% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University came in at #7 for value in dance this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $22,762. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $18,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #8 among the best values for dance. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $23,587. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
East Carolina University landed the #9 spot for dance value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $24,747. Early-career dance graduates make about $51,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Appalachian State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete the dance program here. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $42,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Belhaven University landed the #11 spot for dance value this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,250. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of Belhaven University earn a median of $15,711 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Belhaven University admits about 50% of applicants.
George Mason University earned the #12 position for value in dance this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $25,975 to complete the dance program here. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $12,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston came in at #13 for value in dance this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Dance graduates carry a median of $24,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $40,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Brenau University landed the #14 spot for dance value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,757. Students borrow a median of $36,299 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of Brenau University earn a median of $59,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,299 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Alabama came in at #15 for value in dance this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Dance graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Dance graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $18,716 early in their careers. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #16 position for value in dance this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Alabama State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,248 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $33,709 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of Alabama State University earn a median of $37,721 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,709 median debt. Alabama State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #18 spot for dance value this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Students borrow a median of $24,537 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $33,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Sc landed the #19 spot for dance value this year. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,970. Dance graduates carry a median of $28,034 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $49,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Anderson University Sc admits about 55% of applicants.
Shenandoah University landed the #20 spot for dance value this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,950. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $26,005. Dance graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $62,948 early in their careers. Set against $26,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Elon University earned the #21 position for value in dance this year. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Dance graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. Early-career dance graduates make about $50,463. Set against $21,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
