2026 Best Value Dance Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Dance master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 364 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is Texas Womans University, our #1 best-value Dance school in the United States. Located in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $21,953 to complete their Dance program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,544 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,953 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. 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. Sam Houston State University is a public school based in Huntsville, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Sam Houston State University Dance students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,211. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University has an acceptance rate of 90%. More on Sam Houston State University
You'll get strong value at Montclair State University, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. The median Dance program debt is $27,000. Median earnings reach $61,415 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Montclair State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jacksonville University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,150. Graduates carry a median of $25,619 in student loans. 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. Jacksonville University admits about 57% of applicants. More on Jacksonville University
California State University Long Beach came in at #5 on this year's best-value Dance ranking in the United States. Located in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. California State University Long Beach Dance students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. 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. About 46% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full California State University Long Beach report
New York University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. New York University Dance students take on a median of $23,004 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,509. Set against $23,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted. More on New York University
Duke University placed #7 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Duke University Dance students take on a median of $13,296 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $97,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants. Read the full report on Duke University
Arizona State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Set in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete their Dance program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,668. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Arizona State University has an acceptance rate of 90%. See the full Arizona State University profile
Temple University placed #9 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Dance program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,727. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted. More on Temple University
University Of California Irvine came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. The median Dance program debt is $20,080. Median earnings reach $80,735 ten years out. Set against $20,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 29% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of California Irvine
University Of Iowa came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Graduates carry a median of $24,375 in student loans. University Of Iowa alumni report median earnings of $64,762 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Iowa
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Based in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. The median Dance program debt is $26,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University Of Washington Seattle Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,466 ten years after entry. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus has an acceptance rate of 39%. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Florida State University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical Dance student debt is $21,706. Median earnings reach $61,675 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,706 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%. See the full Florida State University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Dance students take on a median of $19,061 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $81,054 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Suny College At Brockport offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Brockport, NY, Suny College At Brockport is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. The median Dance program debt is $24,190. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,496. Set against $24,190 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%. See the full Suny College At Brockport profile
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, 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. The acceptance rate is 9%. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public school based in Greensboro, NC. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $48,160 ten years out. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Belhaven University offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jackson, MS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,250. Graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. 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
University Of California Riverside offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Riverside, CA, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. The median Dance program debt is $19,187. University Of California Riverside alumni report median earnings of $67,699 a decade after entry. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%. See the full University Of California Riverside profile
Cuny Hunter College placed #21 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Median earnings reach $63,163 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants. See the full Cuny Hunter College profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Located in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical Dance student debt is $26,879. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $74,479. That is a strong return on a $26,879 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. The median Dance program debt is $21,899. Median earnings reach $63,126 ten years out. Set against $21,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus profile
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Ohio State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $60,409 a decade after entry. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 61%. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. The median Dance program debt is $20,836. Median earnings reach $82,860 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. About 45% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Dance Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of Utah placed #26 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. This public school is set 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah has an acceptance rate of 86%. Read more about University Of Utah
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #27 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Set in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Arizona landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. The median Dance program debt is $20,616. Median earnings reach $59,979 ten years out. Set against $20,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona has an acceptance rate of 86%. Read more about University Of Arizona
Bennington College landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Bennington, VT, Bennington College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,262. Graduates carry a median of $26,815 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,289. That is a strong return on a $26,815 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Bennington College report
University Of New Mexico Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. This public school is set in Albuquerque, NM. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. University Of New Mexico Main Campus Dance students take on a median of $19,738 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,792. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of New Mexico Main Campus
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,648 ten years after entry. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,678 in tuition and fees. Typical Dance student debt is $22,077. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%. Get the full Tulane University Of Louisiana report
Washington University In St Louis offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,790. The median Dance program debt is $17,553. Median earnings reach $86,182 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. About 12% of those who apply are admitted. More on Washington University In St Louis
California Institute Of The Arts landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Valencia, CA, California Institute Of The Arts is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,996 in tuition and fees. The median Dance program debt is $26,031. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,198 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,031 median debt. California Institute Of The Arts admits about 32% of applicants. Get the full California Institute Of The Arts report
Cuny Lehman College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. More on Cuny Lehman College
Mendocino College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. See the full Mendocino College profile
Nova Southeastern University landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Nova Southeastern University
Ball State University offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read the full report on Ball State University
Ursinus College
Ursinus College landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Ursinus College
Laney College
Laney College placed #40 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Read more about Laney College
University Of Rochester offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on University Of Rochester
University Of Southern California came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Santa Barbara City College placed #43 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Get the full Santa Barbara City College report
Haverford College landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Haverford College
The Ailey School
The Ailey School offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. See the full The Ailey School profile
Bard College At Simons Rock came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Bard College At Simons Rock
College Of Alameda landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. More on College Of Alameda
Moorpark College
Moorpark College placed #48 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Read the full report on Moorpark College
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Pacific University landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Pacific University report
Related Dance Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Dance Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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