20 Colleges With A Dance Program In 2023

In the career world, most individuals claim to regard dance as something other than a reputable degree program. And often look down on it, categorizing dance as an ordinary major with no relevance.

Contrary to popular opinion, the decision to pick a dance program as a preferred study course is an excellent professional career choice. Dance ranks at number 158, out of 395 majors in the United States. Interesting, right?

Evidence from scientific research reveals how dance improves human health, brain functions, and creativity. The light of these findings places people in this particular field in high demand. 

To obtain a certificate in a dance program, you’ll have to attend a college that offers such a program. This article helps in Identifying 20 of the best colleges with dance programs. And each of these colleges works with an excellent dance program curriculum.

List Of 20 Colleges With Dance Majors In 2023:

  • 1 New York University
  • 2 Duke University
  • 3 Emory University
  • 4 University of Florida
  • 5 Washington University in St Louis
  • 6 University of Wisconsin – Madison
  • 7 University of California – Irvine
  • 8 University of Washington – Seattle Campus
  • 9 Southern Methodist University
  • 10 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
  • 11 Muhlenberg College
  • 12 Texas Christian University
  • 13 University of Iowa
  • 14 The Juilliard School
  • 15 University of Southern California
  • 16 University of Utah
  • 17 George Washington University
  • 18 University of California – Los Angeles
  • 19 University of California – Berkeley
  • 20 Ohio State University – Main Campus

#1 New York University

New York University is a private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. Though it has a moderately large student population, it is widely recognized as the best college with dance programs. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at New York University.

New York University offers a variety of available dance degree programs:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Dance
  • Graduate Certificates in Dance
  • Master’s Degree in Dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 22 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from New York University. And 29 students received their master’s degrees in dance in 2021.

Dance students who receive their bachelor’s degree at New York University earn a median salary of $21,881.

Dance students who receive their master’s degree at New York University earn a median salary of $36,761.

See also: 20 Colleges With Sports Majors in 2023

#2 Duke University

Duke University is a private not-for-profit university located in the city of Durham, North Carolina. It’s a marvelous school to run a dance program. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at Duke University.

Duke University offers a variety of available dance degree programs:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Dance
  • Master’s Degree in Dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 2 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from Duke University. And 7 students received their master’s degrees in dance in 2021.

All bachelor’s and master’s dance degree graduates in the 2020-2021 academic calendar year from Duke University were all women. 

#3 Emory University

Emory University is a private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Atlanta, Georgia. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at Emory University.

Emory University offers only one available dance degree program:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 6 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from Emory University.

#4 University of Florida

University of Florida is a large public university located in the city of Gainesville, Florida. It had a stupendous student population. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at the University of Florida.

The University of Florida offers a variety of available dance degree programs:

  • Basic Certificates in Dance
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 36 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from Emory University.

#5 Washington University in St Louis

Washington University in St Louis is a private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at Washington University in St Louis.

Washington University in St Louis offers a variety of available dance degree programs:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Dance
  • Master’s Degree in Dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 5 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from Washington University in St Louis. And 3 students received their master’s degrees in dance in 2021.

#6 University of Wisconsin – Madison

University of Wisconsin – Madison is a public university located in the city of Madison, Wisconsin. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

University of Wisconsin – Madison offers a variety of available dance degree programs:

  • Basic Certificates in Dance
  •  Bachelor’s Degree in Dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 7 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

#7 University of California – Irvine

University of California – Irvine is a very large public university located in the city of Irvine, California. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at the University of California – Irvine.

University of California – Irvine offers a variety of available dance degree programs:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Dance
  • Master’s Degree in Dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 49 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from the University of California – Irvine. And 9 students received their master’s degrees in dance in 2021.

Dance students who receive their bachelor’s degree at the University of California – Irvine earn a median salary of $22, 184.

#8 University of Washington – Seattle Campus

University of Washington – Seattle Campus is a public university located in the large city of Seattle, Washington. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at the University of Washington – Seattle Campus.

Washington – Seattle Campus offers a variety of available dance degree programs:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Dance
  • Master’s Degree in Dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 18 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from the Washington – Seattle Campus. And 3 students received their master’s degrees in dance in 2021.

#9 Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Dallas, Texas. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at Southern Methodist University.

Southern Methodist University offers only one available dance degree program:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 14 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from Southern Methodist University.

#10 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

University of Michigan – Ann Arbor is a fairly large public university located in the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.

The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor offers a variety of available dance degree programs:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Dance
  • Master’s Degree in Dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 10 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. And 3 students received their master’s degrees in dance in 2021.

#11 Muhlenberg College

Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit college located in the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at Muhlenberg College.

Muhlenberg College offers only one available dance degree program:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 35 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from Muhlenberg College.

Dance students who receive their bachelor’s degree at Muhlenberg College earn a median salary of $24,541.

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#12 Texas Christian University

Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit university located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at Texas Christian University.

Texas Christian University offers only one available dance degree program:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 20 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from Texas Christian University.

Dance students who receive their bachelor’s degree at Texas Christian University earn a median salary of $22,703.

#13 University of Iowa

University of Iowa is a very large public university located in the city of Iowa City, Los Angeles. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at the University of Iowa.

The University of Iowa offers a variety of available dance degree programs:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Dance
  • Master’s Degree in Dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 17 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from the University of Iowa. And 7 students received their master’s degrees in dance in 2021.

Dance students who receive their bachelor’s degree at the University of Iowa earn a median salary of $26,423.

#14 The Juilliard School

The Juilliard School is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York, New York. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at the Juilliard School. 

The Juilliard School offers only one available dance degree program:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 21 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from The Juilliard School. 

Dance students who receive their bachelor’s degree at The Juilliard School earn a median salary of $27,194.

#15 University of Southern California

University of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles, California. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at the University of Southern California.

The University of Southern California offers only one available dance degree program:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 21 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from the University of Southern California.

See also: 25 Best College Dance Teams in USA | 2022 Ranking25 Best College Dance Teams in USA | 2022 Ranking

#16 University of Utah

University of Utah is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Salt Lake City, Utah. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at the University of Utah.

The University of Utah offers a variety of available dance degree programs:

  •  Bachelor’s Degree in Dance
  • Graduate Certificates in Dance
  • Master’s Degree in Dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 44 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from the University of Utah. And students received their master’s degrees in dance in 2021.

Dance students who receive their bachelor’s degree at the University of Utah earn a median salary of $20,152.

#17 George Washington University

George Washington University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at George Washington University.

George Washington University offers only one available dance degree program:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 8 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from George Washington University.

#18 University of California – Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles is a public university located in the large city of Los Angeles, California. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at the University of California – Los Angeles.

University of California – Los Angeles offers a variety of available dance degree programs:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Dance
  • Master’s Degree in Dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 27 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from the University of California – Los Angeles. And 6 students received their master’s degrees in dance in 2021.

Dance students who receive their bachelor’s degree at the University of California – Los Angeles earn a median salary of $14,394.

#19 University of California – Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Berkeley, California. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at the University of California – Berkeley.

University of California – Berkeley offers only one available dance degree program:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 4 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from the University of California – Berkeley.

#20 Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State University-Main Campus is a moderately large public university located in the city of Columbus. The Dance major is part of the visual & performing arts program at the Ohio State University – Main Campus.

Ohio State University-Main Campus offers a variety of available dance degree programs:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Dance
  • Master’s Degree in Dance
  • Doctorate Degree in Dance

In the 2020-2021 academic calendar year, 25 students received bachelor’s degrees in dance from the Ohio State University – Main Campus. 6 students earned their master’s degrees in zoology, and 3 students were awarded their doctorates in dance. 

Dance students who receive their bachelor’s degree at the Ohio State University – Main Campus earn a median salary of $21,123.

See also: 13 Dance Colleges in New York | Rankings 2022

Is a dance career worthwhile?

Dancing offers numerous lucrative career opportunities! You can work as a professional dancer, choreographer, or dance teacher.

When is it too late to pursue a dance career?

So here’s a liberating and transformative truth: dancing is a choice. a decision with no time limit. You can begin dancing at any age, whether you are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80.

FAQS on Best Colleges with Dance Program 2023

Do professional dancers make a lot of money?

Professional dancers in the United States can expect to earn around $24.50 per hour on average. However, when different types of dancers, markets, and careers are considered, this statistic begins to shift significantly

How long does it take to learn to dance well?

Some people can progress from beginner to proficient dancer in two to six months. And during that time, you can look forward to meeting new people, improving your health, and embarking on an exciting new adventure!

Conclusion

The following colleges with dance programs listed in this article are generally considered the best, or amongst the top colleges in their various states. Each of these schools takes the various dance programs with the same relevance as other majors.

Reference

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