2026 Best Dance Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Dance master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 364 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Dance Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. The median Dance program debt is $13,296. Read more about Duke University
New York University came in at #2 on this year's Dance ranking in the United States. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $23,004 to complete their Dance program here. Get the full New York University report
A rank of #3 makes Texas Womans University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Texas Womans University Dance students take on a median of $21,953 in debt. More on Texas Womans University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Iowa one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Graduates carry a median of $24,375 in student loans. Read more about University Of Iowa
Out of the 364 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Sam Houston State University landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Huntsville, TX. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Sam Houston State University Dance students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. More on Sam Houston State University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Dance schools. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. The median Dance program debt is $16,481. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Dance schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Orleans, LA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,678. Typical Dance student debt is $22,077. More on Tulane University Of Louisiana
University Of California Irvine ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Dance schools. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. University Of California Irvine posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. The median Dance program debt is $20,080. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical Dance student debt is $26,000. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. The median Dance program debt is $19,061. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical Dance student debt is $20,836. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Temple University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Temple University is a public school based in Philadelphia, PA. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. The median Dance program debt is $27,000. Read more about Temple University
Arizona State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Dance schools. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. The median Dance program debt is $23,393. Read the full report on Arizona State University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #14 in this year's ranking. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Dance students take on a median of $19,137 in debt. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. The median Dance program debt is $26,000. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Washington University In St Louis came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Washington University In St Louis Dance students take on a median of $17,553 in debt. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Dance schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school based in New Brunswick, NJ. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,879 to complete their Dance program here. Read the full report on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Florida State University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Set in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Florida State University Dance students take on a median of $21,706 in debt. More on Florida State University
University Of California Los Angeles placed #19 among Dance schools in the United States. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. The median Dance program debt is $19,309. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
University Of California Riverside ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Dance schools. Based in Riverside, CA, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. University Of California Riverside posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. University Of California Riverside Dance students take on a median of $19,187 in debt. Get the full University Of California Riverside report
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Dance schools. Based in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete their Dance program here. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Boulder
Montclair State University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Based in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. Montclair State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. The median Dance program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Montclair State University
University Of Arizona landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Graduates carry a median of $20,616 in student loans. See the full University Of Arizona profile
California State University Long Beach placed #25 among Dance schools in the United States. Located in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical Dance student debt is $20,500. See the full California State University Long Beach profile
Suny College At Brockport did well this year, earning the #26 position. Set in Brockport, NY, Suny College At Brockport is a public institution. Suny College At Brockport graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. The median Dance program debt is $24,190. More on Suny College At Brockport
Rest of the Top 50 Best Dance Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
California Institute Of The Arts landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. California Institute Of The Arts is a private not-for-profit school based in Valencia, CA. California Institute Of The Arts posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,996. California Institute Of The Arts Dance students take on a median of $26,031 in debt. Read more about California Institute Of The Arts
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Located in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates 56% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Dance program here. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
University Of Utah landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. University Of Utah posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,269 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Utah
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Located in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Dance students take on a median of $21,899 in debt. Read more about University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Jacksonville University did well this year, earning the #31 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jacksonville, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. In-state tuition and fees average $48,150. Typical Dance student debt is $25,619. More on Jacksonville University
Cuny Hunter College landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Cuny Hunter College Dance students take on a median of $11,091 in debt. More on Cuny Hunter College
Bennington College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Bennington College is a private not-for-profit school based in Bennington, VT. Bennington College posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. Students from in state pay about $66,262 in tuition and fees. The median Dance program debt is $26,815. See the full Bennington College profile
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #34 among Dance schools in the United States. Located in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical Dance student debt is $19,738. Get the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus report
Belhaven University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Based in Jackson, MS, Belhaven University is a private not-for-profit institution. Belhaven University posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. Students from in state pay about $30,250 in tuition and fees. The median Dance program debt is $22,500. More on Belhaven University
Appalachian State University placed #35 among Dance schools in the United States. More on Appalachian State University
Kent State University At Kent ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Dance schools. Get the full Kent State University At Kent report
Oklahoma City University placed #38 among Dance schools in the United States. Get the full Oklahoma City University report
Southern Methodist University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Dance schools. See the full Southern Methodist University profile
Moorpark College
Moorpark College placed #40 among Dance schools in the United States. See the full Moorpark College profile
Rhode Island College landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. See the full Rhode Island College profile
Golden West College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. More on Golden West College
Folsom Lake College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. See the full Folsom Lake College profile
Nazareth College
Nazareth College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Nazareth College
Hampshire College did well this year, earning the #45 position. See the full Hampshire College profile
Chaffey College
Chaffey College placed #46 among Dance schools in the United States. Get the full Chaffey College report
La Roche College
La Roche College landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. More on La Roche College
Greenfield Community College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Dance schools. More on Greenfield Community College
Indiana University Bloomington did well this year, earning the #49 position. More on Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Get the full University Of Central Oklahoma report
Related Dance Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Dance Schools (All Levels)
- Best Dance Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Dance Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Dance Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Dance Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Dance Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Dance Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 364 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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