2026 Best Value Dance Schools in Virginia
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
For return on investment in dance, no school beat George Mason University this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $25,975. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $12,409. That is a strong return on a $25,975 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the best values for dance. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $27,000. Early-career dance graduates make about $20,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hollins University earned it the #3 place for dance. Set in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the dance program here. Dance graduates of Hollins University earn a median of $26,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Hollins University admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in dance will find it at Shenandoah University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,950. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $26,005. Early-career dance graduates make about $62,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shenandoah University admits about 77% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong dance education at a price that pays off.
