2026 Best Value Dance Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the dance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Dance Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in dance in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Dance graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Dance graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $11,994. Early-career dance graduates make about $27,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #3 place for dance. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Dance graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
New Jersey City University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Dance graduates carry a median of $22,107 in student loans. Early-career dance graduates make about $47,083. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in dance will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $27,000. Dance graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $23,191 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University earned the #6 position for value in dance this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Dance graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #7 spot for dance value this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $21,331. Dance graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Suny At Purchase College earned the #8 position for value in dance this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Dance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Dance graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $12,039 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo landed the #9 spot for dance value this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Dance graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $17,110. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Dance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $19,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #11 spot for dance value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,879 to complete the dance program here. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $58,402. Set against $26,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Rider University landed the #12 spot for dance value this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Dance graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $24,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Point Park University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,570 in tuition and fees. Dance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Dance graduates of Point Park University earn a median of $17,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Mercyhurst College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of Mercyhurst College earn a median of $46,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Adelphi University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,775. Dance graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. Set against $25,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Muhlenberg College came in at #16 for value in dance this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,805. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $26,415. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Muhlenberg College admits about 72% of applicants.
Pace University New York came in at #17 for value in dance this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,510. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $19,614 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
New York University placed #18 among the best values for dance. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Dance graduates carry a median of $23,004 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from New York University generally make around $36,556. Set against $23,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Hofstra University came in at #19 for value in dance this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,660. Dance graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Dance graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $55,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Marymount Manhattan College earned the #20 position for value in dance this year. Located in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,870 in tuition and fees. Dance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Dance graduates of Marymount Manhattan College earn a median of $21,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The Ailey School ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. Located in the city of New York, The Ailey School is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,817 in tuition and fees. Dance graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Dance graduates of The Ailey School earn a median of $13,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 32%.
The Juilliard School landed the #22 spot for dance value this year. Located in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,950. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the dance program here. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from The Juilliard School generally make around $14,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
American Musical And Dramatic Academy placed #23 among the best values for dance. Set in the city of New York, American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,928. Dance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career dance graduates make about $15,881. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Fordham University placed #24 among the best values for dance. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the dance program here. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $20,381. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
[Dance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/dance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
