Drama and Dance Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring educators, this program equips students with the knowledge, pedagogical strategies, and practical experience needed to lead dynamic drama and dance instruction across K–12 and post-secondary settings. It emphasizes both artistic mastery and teaching effectiveness, fostering professionals who can inspire student creativity while meeting rigorous academic standards.
- Performance Techniques: Study and application of foundational methods in acting, stage movement, vocal delivery, and choreographic expression to build a strong artistic foundation.
- Curriculum Development: Design and implementation of age-appropriate, standards-aligned lesson plans that integrate drama and dance into broader educational contexts.
- Teaching Methodologies: Exploration of evidence-based instructional strategies tailored to diverse learning styles and classroom environments in the performing arts.
- Arts Integration: Application of drama and dance within interdisciplinary frameworks to enhance learning across subjects such as language arts, history, and social-emotional development.
- Assessment and Evaluation: Mastery of formative and summative assessment tools specific to performance-based disciplines, ensuring equitable and meaningful feedback.
- Classroom Management: Development of techniques to maintain a safe, inclusive, and productive learning environment for students engaged in physical and expressive arts.
- Historical and Cultural Contexts: Examination of global traditions, historical movements, and cultural significance in theater and dance to inform inclusive and informed teaching practices.
Drama and Dance Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Drama and Dance Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Drama and Dance Education degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. 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 1,849,890 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 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
Drama and Dance Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $55,235 in Oklahoma to $96,768 in California—a 75% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,849,890 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 Drama and Dance Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 44 institutions offering Drama and Dance Education 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 Drama and Dance Education is found at Emerson College (57 graduates), Columbus State University (27 graduates), CUNY Hunter College (19 graduates), Ball State University (BSU) (13 graduates), and University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) (12 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 283 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
57 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emerson.edu |
| Columbus State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 | Columbus, Georgia | Public | columbusstate.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) |
Master's
|
12 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | unco.edu |
| Adelphi University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
12 | Garden City, New York | Private | adelphi.edu |
| Oklahoma City University (OCU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Private | okcu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Butler University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| Southern Utah University (SUU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Cedar City, Utah | Public | suu.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | uprrp.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Bridgewater State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | Public | bridgew.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Master's
|
6 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Niagara University |
Master's
|
6 | Niagara University, New York | Private | niagara.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Keene State College (KSC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Keene, New Hampshire | Public | keene.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Xavier University (XU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | xavier.edu |
| Elmhurst University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Elmhurst, Illinois | Private | elmhurst.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | trevecca.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
Master's
|
2 | Los Angeles, California | Private | lmu.edu |
| Missouri Baptist University (MBU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | mobap.edu |
| CUNY City College (CCNY) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | New York, New York | Public | ccny.cuny.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Master's
|
2 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Columbia College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Columbia, South Carolina | Private | columbiasc.edu |
| Lubbock Christian University (LCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lubbock, Texas | Private | lcu.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Campbell University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Buies Creek, North Carolina | Private | campbell.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Master's
|
1 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Winthrop University |
Master's
|
1 | Rock Hill, South Carolina | Public | winthrop.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Marshall, Texas | Private | etbu.edu |
| Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Abilene, Texas | Private | hsutx.edu |
| Howard Payne University (HPU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Brownwood, Texas | Private | hputx.edu |
| George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Drama and Dance Education programs
How much can I earn with a Drama and Dance Education degree?
Salaries for Drama and Dance Education graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $72,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $96,768 compared to $55,235 in Oklahoma. Approximately 1,849,890 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 Drama and Dance Education programs?
Currently 44 accredited institutions offer Drama and Dance Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Emerson College (57 graduates), Columbus State University (27 graduates), and CUNY Hunter College (19 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 Drama and Dance Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 247 in 2010 to 283 in 2023-24. This represents a 15% 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 Drama and Dance Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 1,849,890 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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