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Cheapest Dance Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

The most affordable dance programs cluster heavily in New York's CUNY system, where net costs range from just $2,446 at Hunter College to $3,486 at City College. This concentration reflects New York's role as America's dance capital, home to Broadway, Lincoln Center, and countless dance companies that recruit directly from local programs. CUNY Hunter College stands out with both the lowest net cost and highest graduation rate at 61% among affordable options. Ohio University's regional campuses offer alternative pathways with net costs between $4,503 and $6,483, though graduation rates drop significantly to 12-20%. California State schools like Fullerton provide middle-ground options at $5,646 net cost while maintaining stronger completion rates near 70%. The earnings data reveals geographic patterns too, with Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates earning $26,933 annually compared to the $16,786-$26,933 range across all programs. Public funding clearly drives affordability in this field, as private institutions rarely match these price points for dance education.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $13,726
Net Price Range
$22,976
Avg. Program Earnings
53.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Dance Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
4 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
5 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
6 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
7 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
8 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
9 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
10 $6,007 $7,001 25.6% 45.0%
11 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
12 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
13 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
14 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
15 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
16 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
17 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
18 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
19 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
20 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
21 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
22 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
23 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
24 $10,722 $6,391 43.0%
25 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
26 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
27 $10,948 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
28 $10,988 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
29 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
30 $11,298 $6,007 41.7% 89.5%
31 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
32 $11,432 $6,770 59.0% 83.9%
33 $11,732 $13,971 38.7% 90.1%
34 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
35 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
36 $12,280 $14,014 44.6% 66.4%
37 $12,372 $9,477 79.2% 31.8%
38 $12,599 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
39 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
40 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
41 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
42 $12,932 $11,238 53.1% 93.1%
43 $13,024 $6,360 43.6% 55.2%
44 $13,172 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
45 $13,181 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
46 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
47 $13,584 $14,694 56.9% 90.1%
48 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
49 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
50 $13,726 $8,834 56.0% 89.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Hunter College the top affordable dance option?

Hunter College combines the lowest net cost at $2,446 with the strongest academic outcomes among budget options. The program maintains a 61% graduation rate, significantly higher than other affordable programs. Students earn an average of $21,964 after graduation, reflecting the school's Manhattan location and connections to professional dance venues.

How do Ohio University regional campuses compare for dance students?

Ohio University's branch campuses offer net costs between $4,503 and $6,483, making them affordable options outside major metropolitan areas. However, graduation rates range from just 12% to 20%, considerably lower than main campus programs. The Eastern Campus in Saint Clairsville has the best completion rate at 20% among the Ohio branches.

Is University of Florida worth the slightly higher cost for dance majors?

UF's $6,351 net cost delivers strong value with a 91.5% graduation rate, the highest among affordable programs. Dance graduates earn $24,035 annually with only $15,951 in average debt. The acceptance rate of 23.35% makes admission highly competitive compared to other affordable options.

Does geographic location affect post-graduation earnings for dance majors?

Location significantly impacts earnings, with graduates from Texas Rio Grande Valley earning $26,933 annually, the highest among affordable programs. California State Fullerton graduates earn $20,140, while CUNY Hunter graduates earn $21,964. These differences reflect regional job markets and cost of living variations.

Where can students find the best graduation rates among affordable dance programs?

University of Florida leads with a 91.5% graduation rate at $6,351 net cost, followed by California State Fullerton at 69.2% for $5,646. Among ultra-affordable options under $4,000, CUNY Hunter College achieves 61% completion. Most Ohio University branch campuses struggle with rates below 20%.

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