2027 Best Value Dance Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 92 schools to find the best return on investment for dance students.
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2027 Best Value Dance Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in dance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Dance Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value dance schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $11,091. Dance graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for dance. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the dance program here. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $24,087. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $16,500. Dance graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $16,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #4 spot this year. 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.
California State University Long Beach came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. 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. Dance graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career dance graduates make about $30,686. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University earned the #6 position for value in dance this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $21,706. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $21,877. Set against $21,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for value in dance this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Dance graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $19,309 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $19,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University came in at #9 for value in dance this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $21,953 in student loans. Early-career dance graduates make about $29,634. Set against $21,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $13,287. Dance graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for dance. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $24,545. Early-career dance graduates make about $16,389. Set against $24,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #12 for value in dance this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Dance graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $24,295 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #13 position for value in dance this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $16,481. Early-career dance graduates make about $65,681. 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 came in at #14 for value in dance this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $24,652 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $20,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $20,080. Dance graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $28,112 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,080 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #16 spot for dance value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Dance graduates carry a median of $19,061 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. That is a strong return on a $19,061 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Wayne State University landed the #17 spot for dance value this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #18 among the best values for dance. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career dance graduates make about $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #19 for value in dance this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $23,393. 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 #20 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #21 position for value in dance this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $23,741. Early-career dance graduates make about $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $20,836. Early-career dance graduates make about $57,901. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #23 for value in dance this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $33,340. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value dance schools. Located in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,477, compared with $27,211 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts generally make around $14,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts admits about 30% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #25 position for value in dance this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $25,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Dance Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for dance this year:
Other Dance Degree Levels
Explore the best-value dance schools at other degree levels:
View All Dance Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 92 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 92 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
