by our College Data Analytics Team
[Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a dance degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find where dance graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose dance graduates go on to earn the most.
California Institute Of The Arts earned the #1 spot for highest-paid dance graduates in the Far Western Region. California Institute Of The Arts is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. Early-career dance graduates from California Institute Of The Arts make a median of around $45,119 per year.
University Of California Irvine produces some of the highest-paid graduates in dance, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. After graduating, dance degree recipients from University Of California Irvine typically earn about $32,865 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in dance will find them at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Students who complete the dance program here go on to a median salary of roughly $27,350.
Strong graduate earnings at Chapman University earned it the #4 place for dance. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career dance graduates from Chapman University make a median of around $33,077 per year.
Loyola Marymount University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in dance, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, dance degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University typically earn about $35,852 annually.
University Of Southern California earned the #6 position for dance graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career dance graduates from University Of Southern California make a median of around $25,653 per year.
Cornish College Of The Arts placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for dance. Cornish College Of The Arts is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Dance graduates of Cornish College Of The Arts earn a median of about $22,211 a year early in their careers.
California State University Fullerton ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying dance schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. Students who complete the dance program here go on to a median salary of roughly $24,087.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #9 spot for dance salaries this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. Early-career dance graduates from University Of Nevada Las Vegas make a median of around $20,417 per year.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for dance salaries this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Dance graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $19,787 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their dance graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 10 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.