2026 Best Value Dance Schools
Looking for the best-value Dance programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 364 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree evaluated schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Dance Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Texas Womans University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Dance programs schools in the United States. Set in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Texas Womans University Dance students take on a median of $21,953 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University has an acceptance rate of 96%. Get the full Texas Womans University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sam Houston State University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Dance program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants. Get the full Sam Houston State University report
Out of the 364 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Montclair State University landed the #3 spot. Set in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Montclair State University Dance students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Montclair State University profile
A rank of #4 makes Jacksonville University one of the best values in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jacksonville, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,150. Students borrow a median of $25,619 to complete their Dance program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,010 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%. More on Jacksonville University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #5 place in the United States. This public school is set in Long Beach, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Dance program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,403 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted. Read more about California State University Long Beach
New York University placed #6 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical Dance student debt is $23,004. New York University alumni report median earnings of $82,509 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants. Read more about New York University
Duke University offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. The median Dance program debt is $13,296. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $97,800. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Duke University has an acceptance rate of 6%. More on Duke University
Arizona State University landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete their Dance program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,668. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Arizona State University report
University Of California Irvine placed #9 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Based in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,080 in student loans. Median earnings reach $80,735 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
Temple University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Temple University Dance students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,727. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%. Read the full report on Temple University
University Of Iowa came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical Dance student debt is $24,375. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,762 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,375 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school based in Milwaukee, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical Dance student debt is $26,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,990. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Dance students take on a median of $16,481 in debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus alumni report median earnings of $78,466 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Florida State University placed #14 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Located in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,706 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,675 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,706 median debt. Florida State University has an acceptance rate of 24%. See the full Florida State University profile
University Of California Riverside ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. University Of California Riverside is a public school based in Riverside, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. The median Dance program debt is $19,187. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,699. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. About 76% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of California Riverside report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Graduates carry a median of $19,061 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,054. Set against $19,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Suny College At Brockport came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Set in Brockport, NY, Suny College At Brockport is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Graduates carry a median of $24,190 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,496 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%. Read more about Suny College At Brockport
University Of California Los Angeles placed #18 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical Dance student debt is $19,309. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,511 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Utah landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $17,269 to complete their Dance program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $67,170 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,269 median debt. University Of Utah has an acceptance rate of 86%. More on University Of Utah
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Set in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro Dance students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $48,160 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro has an acceptance rate of 88%. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Belhaven University placed #21 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jackson, MS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,250. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete their Dance program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,440 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted. See the full Belhaven University profile
Cuny Hunter College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. This public school is set in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical Dance student debt is $11,091. Median earnings reach $63,163 ten years out. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Cuny Hunter College report
Ohio State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus Dance students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,409 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school based in New Brunswick, NJ. 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 their Dance program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,479. That is a strong return on a $26,879 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #25 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Set in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Dance students take on a median of $21,899 in debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus alumni report median earnings of $63,126 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus has an acceptance rate of 77%. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Dance Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. This public school is set in College Park, MD. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete their Dance program here. University Of Maryland College Park alumni report median earnings of $82,860 a decade after entry. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a public school based in Boulder, CO. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. University Of Colorado Boulder Dance students take on a median of $20,373 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $69,738. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Colorado Boulder profile
University Of Arizona landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. University Of Arizona Dance students take on a median of $20,616 in debt. University Of Arizona alumni report median earnings of $59,979 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Arizona report
Bennington College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Bennington College is a private not-for-profit school based in Bennington, VT. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,262. Typical Dance student debt is $26,815. Median earnings reach $38,289 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%. More on Bennington College
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Located in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. The median Dance program debt is $19,738. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete their Dance program here. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor alumni report median earnings of $83,648 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Tulane University Of Louisiana offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Located in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,678. Graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,268 ten years after entry. Set against $22,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Tulane University Of Louisiana
Washington University In St Louis landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. The median Dance program debt is $17,553. Washington University In St Louis alumni report median earnings of $86,182 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis has an acceptance rate of 12%. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
California Institute Of The Arts ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Set in Valencia, CA, California Institute Of The Arts is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,996. Students borrow a median of $26,031 to complete their Dance program here. Median earnings reach $41,198 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 32%. More on California Institute Of The Arts
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana placed #35 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Read more about Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Raritan Valley Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full Raritan Valley Community College report
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about San Joaquin Delta College
Meredith College
Meredith College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. See the full Meredith College profile
Rockford College
Rockford College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Rockford College
Saint Marys College Of California landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Saint Marys College Of California
Shenandoah University offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. More on Shenandoah University
Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. More on Southwestern College Chula Vista
University Of Idaho offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Read the full report on University Of Idaho
University Of North Texas landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of North Texas profile
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. More on Brigham Young University Provo
Los Angeles Pierce College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. More on Los Angeles Pierce College
San Francisco State University placed #47 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Read the full report on San Francisco State University
St Olaf College
St Olaf College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. More on St Olaf College
Florida Southern College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. See the full Florida Southern College profile
Northwest Vista College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Northwest Vista College report
Best Value Dance Schools by Degree Level
Compare value rankings by degree level:
- Best Value Dance Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Dance Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Dance Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Dance Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Dance Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Dance Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Dance Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 364 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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