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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find where dance graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send dance graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Rutgers University New Brunswick the top school for dance graduate earnings in New Jersey. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school located in the city of New Brunswick. After graduating, dance degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick typically earn about $32,909 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Rider University earned it the #2 place for dance. Rider University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. After graduating, dance degree recipients from Rider University typically earn about $30,456 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Montclair State University one of the highest-paying schools for dance. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a public institution. Students who complete the dance program here go on to a median salary of roughly $27,863.
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 · 3 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.