by our College Data Analytics Team
[Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their dance graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the early-career earnings of their dance graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose dance graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is University Of South Carolina Columbia, our #1 for dance graduate salaries in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. After graduating, dance degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia typically earn about $33,291 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in dance will find them at Shenandoah University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a private not-for-profit institution. Dance graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of about $28,029 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Radford University earned it the #3 place for dance. Radford University is a public school located in the town of Radford. Early-career dance graduates from Radford University make a median of around $26,476 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in dance will find them at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Dance graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of about $28,983 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying dance schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Early-career dance graduates from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro make a median of around $26,102 per year.
Florida State University earned the #6 position for dance graduate earnings this year. Florida State University is a public school located in the city of Tallahassee. After graduating, dance degree recipients from Florida State University typically earn about $21,877 annually.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying dance schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Students who complete the dance program here go on to a median salary of roughly $20,397.
Kennesaw State University earned the #8 position for dance graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Dance graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of about $18,888 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Alabama placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for dance. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. After graduating, dance degree recipients from The University Of Alabama typically earn about $18,716 annually.
University Of Florida placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for dance. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. After graduating, dance degree recipients from University Of Florida typically earn about $21,714 annually.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #11 position for dance graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, dance degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus typically earn about $16,389 annually.
Belhaven University landed the #12 spot for dance salaries this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the dance program here go on to a median salary of roughly $15,711.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts came in at #13 for dance graduate earnings this year. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a public school located in the city of Winston Salem. After graduating, dance degree recipients from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts typically earn about $14,201 annually.
George Mason University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for dance. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Students who complete the dance program here go on to a median salary of roughly $12,409.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries dance graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 14 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.