2026 Best Value Dance Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Dance master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 364 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Dance Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Texas Womans University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Dance master's degree schools in the United States. Located in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $21,953 to complete their Dance program here. Median earnings reach $56,544 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,953 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants. Read the full report on Texas Womans University
Out of the 364 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Sam Houston State University landed the #2 spot. Located in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,211. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. See the full Sam Houston State University profile
Out of the 364 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Montclair State University landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Montclair, NJ. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Montclair State University Dance students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Montclair State University alumni report median earnings of $61,415 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Montclair State University report
Jacksonville University came in at #4 on this year's best-value Dance ranking in the United States. Based in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,150. The median Dance program debt is $25,619. Jacksonville University alumni report median earnings of $68,010 a decade after entry. Set against $25,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jacksonville University has an acceptance rate of 57%. Read the full report on Jacksonville University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Dance program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,403 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach has an acceptance rate of 46%. See the full California State University Long Beach profile
New York University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. The median Dance program debt is $23,004. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,509 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,004 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%. Get the full New York University report
Duke University offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Median earnings reach $97,800 ten years out. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duke University has an acceptance rate of 6%. More on Duke University
Arizona State University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical Dance student debt is $23,393. Median earnings reach $62,668 ten years out. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Arizona State University
Temple University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. The median Dance program debt is $27,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University has an acceptance rate of 80%. Get the full Temple University report
University Of California Irvine landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. The median Dance program debt is $20,080. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $80,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
University Of Iowa ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. This public school is set in Iowa City, IA. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,375 to complete their Dance program here. Median earnings reach $64,762 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants. Read more about University Of Iowa
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Set in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,990. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical Dance student debt is $16,481. University Of Washington Seattle Campus alumni report median earnings of $78,466 a decade after entry. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 39% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Florida State University placed #14 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Florida State University is a public school based in Tallahassee, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $21,706 to complete their Dance program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,675 ten years after entry. Set against $21,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University has an acceptance rate of 24%. See the full Florida State University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. The median Dance program debt is $19,061. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,054. Set against $19,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Suny College At Brockport ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Suny College At Brockport is a public school based in Brockport, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. The median Dance program debt is $24,190. Median earnings reach $54,496 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Brockport has an acceptance rate of 71%. See the full Suny College At Brockport profile
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. University Of California Los Angeles Dance students take on a median of $19,309 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,511 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,309 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public school based in Greensboro, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical Dance student debt is $25,000. Median earnings reach $48,160 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Belhaven University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jackson, MS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,250. Graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted. See the full Belhaven University profile
University Of California Riverside placed #20 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. University Of California Riverside is a public school based in Riverside, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete their Dance program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,699. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of California Riverside report
Cuny Hunter College landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete their Dance program here. Cuny Hunter College alumni report median earnings of $63,163 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants. Read more about Cuny Hunter College
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $26,879 to complete their Dance program here. Median earnings reach $74,479 ten years out. Set against $26,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical Dance student debt is $21,899. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,126 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus has an acceptance rate of 77%. See the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus profile
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,409. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Maryland College Park offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland College Park Dance students take on a median of $20,836 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park has an acceptance rate of 45%. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Dance Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of Utah placed #26 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. University Of Utah Dance students take on a median of $17,269 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Utah report
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete their Dance program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $69,738. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%. Get the full University Of Colorado Boulder report
University Of Arizona came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,616 to complete their Dance program here. Median earnings reach $59,979 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,616 median debt. University Of Arizona has an acceptance rate of 86%. Read the full report on University Of Arizona
Bennington College landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Bennington College is a private not-for-profit school based in Bennington, VT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Bennington College Dance students take on a median of $26,815 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,289. That is a strong return on a $26,815 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%. Get the full Bennington College report
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete their Dance program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,792. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%. Get the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Dance students take on a median of $19,137 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,648 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Orleans, LA. In-state tuition and fees average $68,678. Typical Dance student debt is $22,077. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%. See the full Tulane University Of Louisiana profile
Washington University In St Louis placed #34 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. The median Dance program debt is $17,553. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $86,182. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
California Institute Of The Arts ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Valencia, CA. Students from in state pay about $58,996 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,031 in student loans. California Institute Of The Arts alumni report median earnings of $41,198 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,031 median debt. California Institute Of The Arts admits about 32% of applicants. See the full California Institute Of The Arts profile
City College Of San Francisco offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full City College Of San Francisco report
College Of The Sequoias landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full College Of The Sequoias profile
The University Of Montana landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full The University Of Montana report
College Of San Mateo landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. More on College Of San Mateo
Oral Roberts University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. See the full Oral Roberts University profile
Alma College
Alma College landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Alma College
Henry Ford Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Henry Ford Community College
Hope College
Hope College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. See the full Hope College profile
Adrian College
Adrian College placed #43 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. More on Adrian College
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Get the full New Mexico State University Main Campus report
Pittsburg State University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. More on Pittsburg State University
San Francisco State University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Read more about San Francisco State University
University Of North Texas came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of North Texas
Ball State University placed #48 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. Read the full report on Ball State University
Shenandoah University placed #49 among the best-value Dance schools in the United States. See the full Shenandoah University profile
Texas Christian University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Dance schools. Get the full Texas Christian University report
Related Dance Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Dance Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Dance Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Dance Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Dance Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Dance Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Dance Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Dance Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 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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