[Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 98 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value dance schools.
Where you study dance affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Dance Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value 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.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value dance schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the dance program here. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in dance will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $24,087. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in dance will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the dance program here. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $16,639. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #4 place for dance. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in dance will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Dance graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach came in at #6 for value in dance this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $30,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Florida State University placed #7 among the best values for dance. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $21,706. Dance graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $21,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Allan Hancock College came in at #8 for value in dance this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #9 position for value in dance this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #10 position for value in dance this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $19,309. Dance graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $19,787 early in their careers. Set against $19,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #11 among the best values for dance. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Dance graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career dance graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $24,545. Dance graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $16,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University earned the #13 position for value in dance this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $21,953 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $29,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #14 position for value in dance this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $24,295. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #15 position for value in dance this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $24,652. Early-career dance graduates make about $20,417. That is a strong return on a $24,652 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine earned the #17 position for value in dance this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Dance graduates carry a median of $20,080 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $28,112. Set against $20,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Scottsdale Community College placed #18 among the best values for dance. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Dance graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $48,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #19 spot for dance value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,061 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $19,061 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University came in at #20 for value in dance this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $23,626. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $22,754. Dance graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Arizona State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Dance graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $27,310. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the dance program here. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #24 for value in dance this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the dance program here. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #25 among the best values for dance. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Early-career dance graduates make about $57,901. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Dance Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s dance value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 98 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 98 ranked schools only.
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).
[Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
