Ballet: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Ballet is a rigorous and expressive discipline centered on the mastery of classical dance as a form of artistic communication. This program equips students with the technical precision, interpretive depth, and historical awareness required to excel in professional performance, choreography, and teaching within the ballet tradition.
- Ballet Technique: Focuses on foundational movements, alignment, and control essential to executing classical forms with accuracy and grace across all major styles.
- Ballet Exercise: Involves structured physical conditioning routines designed to build strength, flexibility, endurance, and muscle memory specific to ballet demands.
- Solo and Ensemble Dance: Develops individual artistry and stage presence through performance in lead roles, as well as the coordination and cohesion required in group choreography.
- History of Ballet: Traces the evolution of ballet from its origins in the Italian Renaissance through the development of major schools and influential choreographers across Europe and America.
- Ballet Choreography: Explores the creative process of designing dance sequences, including structuring movement, selecting music, and conveying narrative or abstract concepts.
- Laban Notation: Teaches a systematic method for recording and analyzing movement, enabling precise documentation and reconstruction of choreographic works.
- Interpretations of Specific Styles and Schools: Provides in-depth study of distinct traditions such as the Vaganova, Cecchetti, Royal Academy of Dance, and French schools, emphasizing stylistic nuances and performance expectations.
Ballet Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Ballet Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Ballet degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Choreographers and Dancers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 110,380 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
Choreographers 27-2032 | $55,600 | $33,080 - $94,090 | 3,430 | $26.73 |
Dancers 27-2031 | N/A | N/A | 9,060 | $23.97 |
Ballet Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $46,350 in Kansas to $129,330 in Hawaii—a 179% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, New York, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 110,380 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Ballet by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 4 institutions offering Ballet programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Ballet is found at University of Utah (U of U) (28 graduates), Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) (8 graduates), Texas Christian University (TCU) (6 graduates), and Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (3 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 45 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
28 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | New York, New York | Private | mmm.edu |
Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Ballet programs
How much can I earn with a Ballet degree?
Salaries for Ballet graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Choreographers earn around $55,600. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $129,330 compared to $46,350 in Kansas. Approximately 110,380 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Ballet programs?
Currently 4 accredited institutions offer Ballet degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Utah (U of U) (28 graduates), Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) (8 graduates), and Texas Christian University (TCU) (6 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Ballet growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 22 in 2010 to a peak of 47 in 2020, before declining slightly to 45 in 2023-24. This represents a 105% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Ballet degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Choreographers, and Dancers. Related occupations employ approximately 110,380 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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