by our College Data Analytics TeamDance programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for dance students pursuing a degree.
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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.
No school ranked higher than Elon University this year for dance. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 15 dance degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the dance program make about $50,463 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete this degree. Read more about the dance program at Elon University
Appalachian State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 dance students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $42,340. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. See the full dance program report for Appalachian State University
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best dance schools. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public school located in the city of Winston Salem. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn a median of $14,201 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. More information about a degree in dance from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the top schools for dance. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 21 dance degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Students who receive their dance degree from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn around $24,295 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in dance from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
A rank of #5 makes East Carolina University one of the top schools for dance. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 dance students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their dance degree from East Carolina University earn around $51,931 in the first couple years of their career. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Read more about the dance program at East Carolina University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #6 spot for dance this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 dance students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Dance graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $23,587 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete this degree. See the full dance program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 6 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.