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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the early-career earnings of their dance graduates.
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 Shenandoah University the top school for dance graduate earnings in Virginia. Located 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 #2 place for dance. Radford University is a public school located in the town of Radford. After graduating, dance degree recipients from Radford University typically earn about $26,476 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the highest-paying schools for dance. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Dance graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $20,397 a year early in their careers.
George Mason University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in dance, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Early-career dance graduates from George Mason University make a median of around $12,409 per year.
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 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.