Cheapest Dance Colleges in California

The gap between California's most and least expensive dance programs reaches nearly $27,000 annually, with California State University-Fullerton offering the lowest net price at just $5,646 compared to Pomona College's $19,424. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with eight Cal State campuses charging under $14,000 in net costs. Dance graduates from UC Riverside earn the highest median salary at $35,600, while Long Beach State graduates start at $16,786 despite similar program costs. California's entertainment industry employs more dancers and choreographers than any other state, with Los Angeles alone housing over 200 dance companies and the major film studios that regularly hire movement professionals. The Cal Grant program covers full tuition for many students at public universities, making programs like Fresno State accessible with a net price of $6,480.

Programs

$5,646 – $50,218

Net Price Range

$22,567

Avg. Program Earnings

77.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

25 Dance Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, California	$5,646	$7,073	69.2%	66.7%
2	California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino, California	$5,918	$7,675	54.7%	91.1%
3	California State University-Fresno Fresno, California	$6,480	$6,980	54.8%	95.4%
4	California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, California	$8,931	$7,008	69.9%	40.0%
5	California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, California	$10,512	$7,602	55.8%	93.2%
6	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$11,750	$15,265	87.6%	23.7%
7	University of California-Irvine Irvine, California	$12,840	$14,237	86.0%	21.2%
8	San Francisco State University San Francisco, California	$12,882	$7,424	50.1%	94.2%
9	University of California-Riverside Riverside, California	$13,707	$14,170	76.6%	68.7%
10	San Jose State University San Jose, California	$13,741	$7,992	64.7%	76.7%
11	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California	$13,825	$14,965	85.3%	25.9%
12	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$14,013	$13,747	92.7%	8.6%
13	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$14,979	$14,850	92.9%	11.3%
14	San Diego State University San Diego, California	$16,174	$8,290	78.3%	39.3%
15	Pomona College Claremont, California	$19,424	$62,326	93.2%	7.0%
16	Claremont McKenna College Claremont, California	$27,384	$64,150	95.2%	10.4%
17	Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, California	$31,198	$56,134	69.0%	87.9%
18	Pitzer College Claremont, California	$31,663	$62,692	83.2%	18.4%
19	University of Southern California Los Angeles, California	$31,927	$68,237	92.0%	12.0%
20	Harvey Mudd College Claremont, California	$32,492	$66,255	93.8%	13.4%
21	Scripps College Claremont, California	$38,802	$63,434	87.1%	27.9%
22	Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, California	$45,723	$58,974	79.8%	41.3%
23	California Institute of the Arts Valencia, California	$47,183	$56,724	64.2%	24.8%
24	Chapman University Orange, California	$47,527	$62,784	80.4%	72.5%
25	Dominican University of California San Rafael, California	$50,218	$50,666	76.3%	93.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes California State University-Fullerton the most affordable dance program?

Cal State Fullerton charges just $5,646 in net price annually, the lowest among all California dance programs. The university maintains a 69.20% graduation rate while accepting 66.72% of applicants. Students graduate with an average debt of $24,702 and earn a median salary of $20,140 after graduation.

How much do earnings vary between California dance programs?

Dance graduate earnings span from $16,786 at Cal State Long Beach to $35,600 at UC Riverside, creating a $18,814 difference. UC Irvine graduates earn $28,236 annually with lower debt loads of $20,080. These variations often reflect regional job markets, with UC Riverside serving the growing Inland Empire entertainment sector.

Is the cost difference between public and private dance programs significant?

Public universities charge between $5,646 and $16,174 in net costs, while Pomona College charges $19,424 as the only private option in this range. The most expensive public program at San Diego State still costs $3,250 less than the cheapest private option. Cal Grant eligibility can eliminate tuition entirely at public universities for qualifying students.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program cost in California dance programs?

The most selective programs often cost more, with UCLA accepting just 8.57% at $14,013 net cost. However, Cal State Fresno accepts 95.43% of applicants while charging only $6,480. UC schools generally combine competitive admission with moderate costs due to state funding.

Where do California dance graduates find the best job prospects?

Los Angeles houses the largest concentration of dance opportunities, with major studios, touring companies, and entertainment industry jobs. The Bay Area offers positions with tech companies incorporating movement into virtual reality and gaming. San Diego's growing arts scene and proximity to Mexico creates unique cross-cultural dance opportunities.

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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.