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.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying dance schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose dance graduates go on to earn the most.
Southern Methodist University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying dance schools in Texas. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Early-career dance graduates from Southern Methodist University make a median of around $49,423 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in dance will find them at Texas State University San Marcos, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Early-career dance graduates from Texas State University San Marcos make a median of around $54,412 per year.
Texas Womans University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying dance schools. Texas Womans University is a public school located in the city of Denton. Students who complete the dance program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,951.
A rank of #4 makes Stephen F Austin State University one of the highest-paying schools for dance. Stephen F Austin State University is a public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Students who complete the dance program here go on to a median salary of roughly $33,340.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Texas one of the highest-paying schools for dance. University Of North Texas is a public school located in the city of Denton. After graduating, dance degree recipients from University Of North Texas typically earn about $44,100 annually.
Sam Houston State University earned the #6 position for dance graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Students who complete the dance program here go on to a median salary of roughly $33,041.
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 · 6 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.