Dance degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 98 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best dance schools.
The dance program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Dance Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Dance School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Dance Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the dance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Madison the best school in the country for a degree in dance. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 18 dance degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Dance graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans.
See the full dance program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
A rank of #2 makes Southern Methodist University one of the top schools for dance. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 18 dance degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their dance degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $70,632 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712.
Read more about the dance program at Southern Methodist University
Students looking for a strong dance program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 21 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in dance from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 18 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $65,681 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans.
Get the full dance details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in dance, ranking #5. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 15 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $25,653 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans.
See the full dance program report for University Of Southern California
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #6 spot for dance this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 dance students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree.
Get the full dance details for The University Of Texas At Austin
Chapman University came in at #7 for dance this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 33 dance degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Graduates of the dance program make about $21,275 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,624.
More information about a degree in dance from Chapman University
University Of California Irvine ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best dance schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 49 dance degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $28,112. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $20,080 in student loans.
Read more about the dance program at University Of California Irvine
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #9 for dance this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 20 dance degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete this degree.
Read more about the dance program at University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #10 for dance this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 10 dance degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Students who receive their dance degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $31,597 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in dance from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Arizona State University earned the #11 position for dance this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 23 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the dance program make about $27,310 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393.
More information about a degree in dance from Arizona State University
University Of California Los Angeles placed #12 among the best dance schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 32 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $19,787 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $19,309 in student loans.
Read more about the dance program at University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #13 among the best dance schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 19 dance degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,061 in student loans.
See the full dance program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Florida State University came in at #14 for dance this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida State University awarded about 23 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $21,877. Typical student debt for the program is $21,706.
Get the full dance details for Florida State University
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #15 position for dance this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 17 dance degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Dance graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $58,402 early in their careers. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $26,879 in student loans.
Read more about the dance program at Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best dance schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 16 dance degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Graduates of the dance program make about $45,488 in their early career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans.
Read more about the dance program at University Of California Santa Barbara
San Diego State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best dance schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego State University awarded about 21 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from San Diego State University earn around $51,162 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete this degree.
Read more about the dance program at San Diego State University
University Of Utah earned the #18 position for dance this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 39 dance degrees were awarded at University Of Utah in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $24,125. Students borrow a median of $17,269 to complete this degree.
See the full dance program report for University Of Utah
University Of North Texas earned the #19 position for dance this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $25,034 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
More information about a degree in dance from University Of North Texas
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #20 spot for dance this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 33 dance degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Graduates of the dance program make about $38,967 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
See the full dance program report for Texas State University San Marcos
California State University Long Beach placed #21 among the best dance schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 dance degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their dance degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $30,686 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
Get the full dance details for California State University Long Beach
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #22 among the best dance schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 25 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $21,167 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the dance program at Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Iowa ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best dance schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $30,353 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,375 to complete this degree.
Read more about the dance program at University Of Iowa
Texas Christian University landed the #24 spot for dance this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 15 dance students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from Texas Christian University earn around $60,035 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans.
Get the full dance details for Texas Christian University
Butler University landed the #25 spot for dance this year. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Butler University awarded about 13 dance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from Butler University earn around $68,222 in the first couple years of their career. Butler University graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans.
More information about a degree in dance from Butler University
Rest of the Top 50 Dance Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s dance ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 98 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
