Best Value Dance Colleges in Pennsylvania

Swarthmore College delivers the most striking value proposition among Pennsylvania's dance programs, charging a $62,412 sticker price but reducing costs to just $18,686 through financial aid. This creates an unusual situation where the state's most selective dance program (6.93% acceptance rate) becomes its most affordable option after aid. Pennsylvania's dance graduates earn between $19,227 and $35,420 annually, with significant variation tied to program focus and regional opportunities. The state's major healthcare systems like UPMC and entertainment venues in Philadelphia create performance and dance therapy positions that complement traditional artistic careers. Public options like Slippery Rock University offer in-state students a $10,507 tuition rate, while private programs range from Point Park's specialized dance training in Pittsburgh to Muhlenberg's liberal arts approach in Allentown.

Programs

$18,686 – $44,154

Net Price Range

$24,432

Avg. Program Earnings

72.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Dance Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania	$19,524	$28,236	$10,507	65.9%	74.3%
2	Muhlenberg College Allentown, Pennsylvania	$30,314	$35,420	$60,240	80.2%	65.5%
3	Mercyhurst University Erie, Pennsylvania	$27,263	$23,693	$44,510	58.7%	80.6%
4	Point Park University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$24,791	$19,227	$38,160	59.6%	82.1%
5	Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$29,219	$21,052	$22,082	74.7%	79.7%
6	DeSales University Center Valley, Pennsylvania	$30,465	$21,781	$44,800	71.0%	77.2%
7	University of the Arts Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$44,154	$21,613	$54,290	69.2%	80.0%
8	Messiah University Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania	$27,686		$40,640	78.5%	79.4%
9	Ursinus College Collegeville, Pennsylvania	$30,485		$59,196	76.6%	82.2%
10	Swarthmore College Swarthmore, Pennsylvania	$18,686		$62,412	94.1%	6.9%
11	Seton Hill University Greensburg, Pennsylvania	$22,558		$41,414	71.0%	78.3%
12	La Roche University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$21,972		$33,120	57.7%	97.4%
13	Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, Pennsylvania	$39,061		$68,380	86.0%	36.2%
14	Eastern University Saint Davids, Pennsylvania	$25,885		$37,420	56.0%	63.2%
15	Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$38,428		$60,663	77.1%	79.6%
16	Dickinson College Carlisle, Pennsylvania	$32,191		$63,475	83.4%	34.9%
17	Cedar Crest College Allentown, Pennsylvania	$22,909		$44,934	58.2%	84.3%
18	Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania	$40,690		$62,560	85.6%	30.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost difference between Swarthmore and other Pennsylvania dance programs?

Swarthmore's $18,686 net price represents the power of need-based financial aid at well-endowed institutions. While the college charges $62,412 in tuition and fees, its substantial endowment allows generous aid packages that make it more affordable than many public options. The 94.10% graduation rate reflects the academic caliber of students who gain admission. Other private programs like University of the Arts cost $44,154 net price despite lower sticker prices due to less generous aid policies.

How do Pennsylvania dance graduates' earnings compare to program costs?

Muhlenberg College graduates earn the highest salaries at $35,420 annually, justifying the $30,314 net cost through strong liberal arts preparation and alumni networks. Point Park graduates earn $19,227 despite the program's reputation for professional training, reflecting the challenging economics of performance careers. Temple University offers a middle path with $21,052 earnings and a $29,219 net price for out-of-state students. The debt load averages $27,000 across most programs, requiring careful financial planning.

Is the 74% acceptance rate at Slippery Rock typical for Pennsylvania dance programs?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically across Pennsylvania dance programs, from Swarthmore's highly selective 6.93% to La Roche's open 97.36% admission policy. Slippery Rock's 74.33% acceptance rate reflects a public university balancing accessibility with program quality. Private programs like Muhlenberg (65.51%) and Eastern University (63.23%) maintain moderate selectivity. The 65.90% graduation rate at Slippery Rock aligns with other regional public universities, while private programs generally achieve higher completion rates.

Where do Pennsylvania dance programs provide the best return on investment?

Swarthmore offers the strongest ROI with its $18,686 net cost and well-known degree, though earnings data isn't available. Among programs with salary data, Muhlenberg provides solid value with $35,420 earnings against $30,314 costs and an 80.20% graduation rate. Slippery Rock serves in-state students well at $10,507 tuition with $28,236 earnings potential. Point Park's specialized training comes at $24,791 net cost but produces lower initial earnings, typical of performance-focused programs where career growth takes time.

More Dance Rankings

Cheapest Dance in Pennsylvania Dance Under $20,000 in Pennsylvania

All Dance Programs Best Colleges in Pennsylvania Best Dance in Pennsylvania

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.