2026 Best Value Dance Schools in the Southwest 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
Texas Womans University earned the #1 spot for value among dance schools in the Southwest Region. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $21,953. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $29,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for dance. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Dance graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Dance graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $27,310 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in dance, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $21,255. Early-career dance graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Texas earned it the #4 place for dance. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $24,000. Dance graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $25,034 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in dance will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $20,616 to complete the dance program here. Early-career dance graduates make about $24,826. Set against $20,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Dance graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Dance graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $38,967 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University landed the #7 spot for dance value this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $26,000. Dance graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $19,202 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #8 position for value in dance this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $21,899. Dance graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $14,632 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,899 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #9 position for value in dance this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $21,275. Dance graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value dance schools. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $23,321. Early-career dance graduates make about $44,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Oklahoma City University placed #11 among the best values for dance. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,754 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $24,100. Early-career dance graduates make about $19,548. That is a strong return on a $24,100 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University earned the #12 position for value in dance this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Typical student debt for dance graduates is $30,027. Early-career dance graduates make about $56,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University earned the #13 position for value in dance this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Dance graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Early-career dance graduates make about $60,035. Set against $22,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Southern Methodist University placed #14 among the best values for dance. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Dance graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Soon after graduation, dance degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $70,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
