by our College Data Analytics Team
[Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 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.
University Of Iowa tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying dance schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Dance graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of about $41,919 a year early in their careers.
University Of Missouri Kansas City produces some of the highest-paid graduates in dance, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public institution. Dance graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of about $33,241 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the highest-paying schools for dance. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. After graduating, dance degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities typically earn about $31,597 annually.
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 · 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.