by our College Data Analytics Team
[Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a dance degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying dance schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send dance graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Southern Methodist University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid dance graduates in the Southwest Region. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Dance graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $49,423 a year early in their careers.
Texas State University San Marcos produces some of the highest-paid graduates in dance, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Students who complete the dance program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,412.
Strong graduate earnings at Texas Womans University earned it the #3 place for dance. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a public institution. Dance graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of about $45,951 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Arizona State University earned it the #4 place for dance. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. After graduating, dance degree recipients from Arizona State University typically earn about $48,294 annually.
Stephen F Austin State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in dance, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution. Students who complete the dance program here go on to a median salary of roughly $33,340.
University Of North Texas earned the #6 position for dance graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Dance graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of about $44,100 a year early in their careers.
Oklahoma City University landed the #7 spot for dance salaries this year. Oklahoma City University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Dance graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of about $32,954 a year early in their careers.
University Of Arizona placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for dance. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Early-career dance graduates from University Of Arizona make a median of around $24,826 per year.
Sam Houston State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for dance. Sam Houston State University is a public school located in the town of Huntsville. Dance graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $33,041 a year early in their careers.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #10 for dance graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Early-career dance graduates from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus make a median of around $14,632 per year.
This list is compiled 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 · 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.