Dance: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Dance is a dynamic and expressive art form that integrates physical performance, creative choreography, and cultural context. This program offers a comprehensive exploration of dance as both a performing art and a scholarly discipline, preparing students for diverse careers in performance, education, choreography, and arts administration.
- Choreographic Practices: Study of the creative process behind dance composition, including conceptual development, movement generation, and the use of space, time, and dynamics in performance.
- Performance Technique: Advanced training in various dance styles such as ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary, with emphasis on physical precision, expressiveness, and stage presence.
- Dance History and Theory: Examination of the evolution of dance across cultures and historical periods, analyzing its role in society, ritual, and artistic expression.
- Body Mechanics and Injury Prevention: In-depth understanding of anatomical principles, alignment, and movement efficiency to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury.
- Stagecraft and Production: Hands-on experience with lighting, sound, costume design, and stage management to support the realization of live dance productions.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Engagement with music, visual arts, and technology to expand creative possibilities and explore new forms of performance.
Dance Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Dance Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Dance 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 |
Dance 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 Dance by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 24 institutions offering Dance 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 Dance is found at American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) (28 graduates), Western Michigan University (WMU) (19 graduates), Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) (15 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU) (12 graduates), and University of Nevada (UNLV), Las Vegas (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 153 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | New York, New York | Private | amda.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
19 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | New York, New York | Private | mmm.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Other Award
|
8 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
7 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| Drexel University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Palomar College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| Irvine Valley College (IVC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Irvine, California | Public | ivc.edu |
| Pittsburg State University |
Other Award
|
5 | Pittsburg, Kansas | Public | pittstate.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Master's
|
5 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Other Award
|
4 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Glendale, California | Public | glendale.edu |
| Laney College |
Other Award
|
3 | Oakland, California | Public | laney.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| MiraCosta College |
Other Award
|
2 | Oceanside, California | Public | miracosta.edu |
| Allan Hancock College |
Other Award
|
1 | Santa Maria, California | Public | hancockcollege.edu |
| Cerritos College |
Other Award
|
1 | Norwalk, California | Public | cerritos.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
1 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Other Award
|
1 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Dance programs
How much can I earn with a Dance degree?
Salaries for Dance 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 Dance programs?
Currently 25 accredited institutions offer Dance degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) (28 graduates), Western Michigan University (WMU) (19 graduates), and Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) (15 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 Dance growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 20 in 2010 to 153 in 2023-24. This represents a 665% 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 Dance 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.
Related Arts Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Arts field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Sound Arts
A program that focuses on sound as a form of cultural expression, and its relationship to other disciplines such as computer programming, performance,...
Music
Any instructional program in music not listed above.
Arts and Media Management
A program that prepares individuals to organize and manage various aspects of the visual arts, performing arts, and entertainment media industries. Includes instruction...
Fine and Studio Arts Management
A program that prepares individuals to organize and manage fine and studio art organizations, operations, and facilities. Includes instruction in business and financial...
Music Management
A program that prepares individuals to organize and manage music organizations, operations, facilities, and personnel. Includes instruction in business and financial management; marketing...
Theatre Arts Management
A program that prepares individuals to apply business management principles to the management of theatres and production corporations. Includes instruction in theatrical production,...