Best College Dance Programs for 2024 in USA

DanceUS.org recommends the best college dance programs for 2024 in USA. Thousands of our readers and prospective students are looking for various dance programs  across the country and we’ve selected these schools as our recommendation - listed by state, alphabetically. Make sure to check our section on How to Choose the Best College Dance Program in the USA.

BEST COLLEGE DANCE PROGRAMS BY STATE:

DanceUS.org is the leading portal for dance professionals, learners and enthusiasts. We are an independent online publication featuring unique content and editorials on our site, helping the reader submerge in the time period and genuinely appreciate the soul of the dance. Additionally, we cover worldwide Latin Festivals & Congresses, Tango Festivals & Marathons, Hip Hop Festivals and other major dance competitions and championships in USA and Worldwide.

How to Choose the Best College Dance Program in the USA

Selecting the best college dance program in the USA involves careful consideration of various factors to ensure it aligns with your goals, interests, and needs. Here's a guide to help you:

• Research Programs: Start by researching colleges and universities with strong dance programs. Look for institutions known for their excellence in dance education.
• Accreditation: Ensure that the program is accredited by organizations like the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD). Accreditation ensures quality and adherence to established standards.
• Curriculum: Review the curriculum offered by each program. Look for a balanced blend of technique, choreography, theory, and performance opportunities. Consider whether the curriculum aligns with your dance interests and career goals.
• Faculty: Investigate the qualifications and experience of the faculty members. Look for faculty who are accomplished dancers, choreographers, and educators. Faculty diversity and their connections within the dance industry can also enhance your learning experience.
• Facilities: Visit or research the dance facilities available at each institution. Consider factors such as studios, performance spaces, equipment, and technology resources. Adequate facilities can greatly impact your training and performance opportunities.
• Performance Opportunities: Evaluate the opportunities for performance and collaboration offered by the program. Consider whether the program regularly stages productions, showcases, and collaborations with professional companies or other arts organizations.
• Internship and Career Support: Look into internship opportunities, career counseling, and post-graduation support provided by the program. Strong connections to the dance industry can facilitate networking and career advancement.
• Admission Requirements: Review the admission requirements for each program, including audition requirements, academic prerequisites, and portfolio submissions. Prepare accordingly and consider seeking guidance from current students or alumni.
• Cost and Financial Aid: Consider the cost of tuition, fees, housing, and other expenses associated with attending each institution. Research available scholarships, grants, and financial aid options to help fund your education.
• Location and Culture: Consider the location and cultural environment of each institution. Think about factors such as proximity to dance companies, cultural institutions, and opportunities for artistic inspiration and growth.
• Student Support Services: Evaluate the availability of student support services such as academic advising, counseling, and health services. A supportive campus environment can contribute to your overall well-being and success as a student.
• Visit and Connect: Whenever possible, visit the campuses of your top choices to get a feel for the environment and interact with faculty, current students, and alumni. Attend open houses, classes, or performances to gain insight into the program's culture and community.

By considering these criteria and conducting thorough research, you can identify the best college dance program in the USA that suits your aspirations and sets you on the path to a fulfilling career in dance.

So here is our list of the best degree-awarding college dance programs for 2024, both BFA and BA, including community colleges, organized by state alphabetically:

ARIZONA

University of Arizona School of Dance

1713 E University Blvd, Ina Gittings Bldg, Rm 121, Tucson, AZ 85721-0093 | PHONE: 520.621.4698 | EMAIL: [email protected]
School of Dance at the University of Arizona is a family of professionals that have worked together for almost two decades to create one of the top dance programs in the country.  A critical step in this process is to find a dance program that can be the catalyst and the support system for learning, and is rigorous enough to serve as the gateway to careers in the profession. The dance program at the University of Arizona provides such an environment. Essentially, we offer a conservatory approach in a liberal arts setting, and take pride in being part of this highly ranked institution.

CALIFORNIA

CalArts School of Dance

California Institute of the Arts, 24700 McBean Parkway. Valencia, California 91355 | Phone: 661-253-7898 | Email: [email protected]
The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance’s mission is in educating the complete dance artist—agile, intelligent and in command of an expanded skill set to meet the fast-evolving demands of professional dance. The comprehensive BFA and MFA Programs build high-level proficiencies in performance technique, choreography, dance production technology and critical understanding of the art form, all within a global cultural context. Programs include: Dance and Choreography.

Chapman University Department of Dance

Partridge Dance Center, 190 North Cypress Street, Orange, CA 92866 | Phone: (714) 744-7040 | Email: [email protected]
The Department of Dance at Chapman University offers students a strong professional dance training program with high quality productions. Students may choose from a pre-professional Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance or from the more broad based Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance. Both degrees provide excellent preparation for those who plan to enter the professional dance world and/or attend graduate school. The curriculum for dance majors includes course work in choreography, dance history, dance production, dance performance, acting, music for dancers, dance science, dance teaching methods, ballroom, somatics, hip-hop, tap, and comprehensive pre-professional training in modern, jazz and ballet technique.

USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance

Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center, 849 West 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089 | Phone: 213-740-9327 | Email: [email protected]
As the university’s sixth art school, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance completes USC’s signature reputation as a world-class academic institution with a deep commitment to the arts. The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts to a select number of undergraduates who wish to pursue dance as their major. This four-year professional degree is housed in the state-of-the-art Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center. USC Kaufman also offers individual classes in technique, performance, choreography, production, theory and history that are open to all students at USC. In addition to the dance major and open courses, the minor in Dance and minor in Dance in Popular Culture: Hip-Hop, Urban and Social Dances, provide a rewarding program of study for any USC student.

CONNECTICUT

The Hartt School Dance Division

University of Hartford, Hartford, CT | Phone: (860) 768-6000 | Email: [email protected]
The Hartt School Dance Division is a rigorous, professionally focused, conservatory program within a university context offering its students all the benefits of extensive training in Dance and a diverse academic education. The program promotes innovation developed from a strong technical foundation. This is evident in the curriculum which has a strong ballet base (daily technique, pointe, pas de deux, and variations), Classic Modern Dance (Graham, Limón, Modern Solos), and Contemporary Dance (technique, partnering, improvisation, composition). Degrees offered: BFA Dance - Performance, BFA Dance - Ballet Pedagogy.

FLORIDA

Florida State University (FSU) School of Dance

130 Collegiate Loop, P.O. Box 3062120, Tallahassee, FL 32306 | (850) 644-1024 | Email: [email protected]
Established ninety years ago and offering a professional dance major for sixty of those years, the mission of the Florida State University School of Dance is to provide an environment conducive to the highest caliber of dance training, art-making, and scholarship. Our approach encourages fluidity between the processes of making art, honing the craft, and deepening intellectual explorations. We cultivate the individual creative voice with exposure to diverse technical and philosophical approaches. Such an environment nurtures exceptional dance practitioners, allows us to make creative and intellectual contributions to the larger dance community, and fosters collaborative endeavors within and beyond our field. Our school offers: BFA degree designed to provide an environment of the highest caliber in both practice and scholarship preparing students to enter dance as a profession; MFA degree that supports the development of diverse skills in classical and contemporary dance techniques, pedagogy, visual design and production, dance science, historical perspectives and critical theory, dramaturgy, musical inquiry; MA degree that offers two separate major choices: the MA in Dance (American Dance Studies) and the MA in Dance (Studio and Related Studies). 

USF School of Theatre and Dance

4202 East Fowler Ave., TAR 230, Tampa, FL 33620 | Phone: (813) 974-3867 | Email: [email protected]
The University of South Florida (USF) Dance Program's goal is to prepare and inspire students for a life in dance. A conservatory-based program within a liberal arts environment, we are focused on rigorous training in both ballet and modern technique. We are committed to the creation and production of original contemporary choreographic works by students, faculty and guest artists. The Dance Program is housed in its own state-of-the-art Dance Centre on a large liberal arts campus. USF is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD). Students must apply for admission and be accepted to the University of South Florida before they can be accepted as a Dance Major in the School of Theatre and Dance. Additionally, all prospective Dance Majors and Dance Minors must audition during the year prior to their first semester to be accepted into the Dance Program.

INDIANA

Contemporary Dance Program at Indiana University

275 N Jordan Ave, Bloomington, IN 47406 | Phone: (812) 855-4342 | Email: [email protected]
The IU Contemporary Dance Program offers a collection of experiences that are accessible to students who seek serious study in the art of dance. The program’s core offerings consist of curricula which, through the highest quality of training and instruction, strengthen and refine dance techniques as well as provide scholarly inquiry into history, science, and creative practices. The B.F.A. in Dance offered by the Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance is rich in artistic integrity and disciplined dance training that is essential to producing wholly integrated artists and successful dance professionals.

Department of Dance at Butler University

Lilly Hall, Room 50, 4600 Sunset Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46208 | Phone: 317-940-9346 | Email: [email protected]
Consistently listed as one of the top five collegiate ballet programs in the nation, the Department of Dance provides a rich, nourishing environment for the professional development of the highest caliber of dancers in the nation. Students receive conservatory-level instruction from a faculty of highly respected artists/teachers. ButlerBallet, the performance component of the program, produces extensive professional-level concert dance, including full-length classical productions of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia, Cinderella, and Giselle; all performed to live orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Richard Auldon Clark.

MARYLAND

Towson University Department of Dance

8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252-0001 | Phone: 410-704-4527 | Email: [email protected] 
The Department of Dance at Towson University is a center of excellence in dance education and artistry. Towson offers professional dance training within the context of a comprehensive liberal arts education. Majors experience rigorous preparation to dance and create dance at all ages and stages of life—in professional companies, as educators and as arts advocates.

MASSACHUSETTS

Boston Conservatory at Berklee Dance Division

8 Fenway, Boston, MA 02215 | Phone: 617-536-6340 | Email: [email protected]
As the first college in the nation to have an integrated department of ballet and modern dance, Boston Conservatory continues to be a leader in dance training with what is widely considered the best contemporary dance program in the U.S. With a profound depth of knowledge and an impressive portfolio of real-world dance experience, Conservatory teachers and acclaimed guest artists are as passionate about their students as they are about their craft. By challenging you to think beyond conventions, the Conservatory provides an environment for young dancers to grow into cutting-edge artists.

NEW YORK

Center for Dance at The Ailey School and Fordham University

Lincoln Center, 33 W. 60th Street, New York, NY 10023 | Phone: (212) 636-6000 | Email: [email protected]
The Ailey School and Fordham University are partners in a highly innovative Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in dance. The BFA program offers the best of two worlds: The artistic pre-eminence of the official school of the world-famous Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, coupled with an exceptional liberal arts education rooted in the Jesuit tradition of academic excellence. Both institutions are located in New York City's Lincoln Center area--the epicenter of the dance world.

Commercial Dance BFA Program at Pace University

407 West 43rd St, New York, NY 10036 | Phone: 212-618-6100 | Email: [email protected]
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Commercial Dance in the Pace School of Performing Arts is the only one of its kind in New York City offering comprehensive dance training that bridges the gap between classical dance technique and the professional world of commercial dance. The Commercial Dance major blends the highest quality of dance and theater training preparing students for diverse careers on stage, television, film, and the entertainment industry. Commercial Dance students train with leading professionals in ballet, jazz, modern, theater dance, tap, contemporary, hip hop, and aerial work as well as in acting, singing, and technical theater.

Dance Division at The Juilliard School

60 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023 | Phone: 212-799-5000 | Email: [email protected]
The Juilliard School offers four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree program in Dance. Dance, as an art form, reaches across centuries and cultures. At Juilliard, you will be encouraged to become a versatile and nuanced performer through equal emphasis on both modern and ballet techniques.You will learn the history and works from the past that continue to inform today’s dance makers, and you will be challenged to create with celebrated choreographers. Through its classes, performances, and compositional opportunities, Juilliard fosters and empowers the next generation of exceptional artists and creative voices in the dance world.

Purchase College Conservatory of Dance

735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577, USA | Phone: (914) 251-6000 | Email: [email protected]
The Conservatory of Dance in the School of the Arts at Purchase College (SUNY) is one of only a handful of conservatories in the world where you can learn what it means to be a dance professional. The opportunity provided to individuals committed to the full realization of themselves as artists is second to none. The Conservatory of Dance’s BFA program gives students a comprehensive entrée into the world of professional dance. Purchase alumni currently perform with many of the foremost international contemporary modern and ballet dance companies. They also teach, direct, and choreograph major productions, dance on Broadway, have founded companies across the globe, and are nurturing the next generation as professors in higher education.

The Barnard College Department of Dance

310 Barnard Hall, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027 | 212.854.2995 | [email protected]
The Barnard College Department of Dance, located in a world dance capital, offers an interdisciplinary program that integrates the study of dance within a liberal arts setting of intellectual and creative exploration. The major builds upon studio courses, the Department's productions at Miller Theater, New York Live Arts and other venues, as well as a rich array of dance studies courses, allowing students' creative work to develop in dialogue with critical inquiry into the history, culture, theory and forms of western and non-western performance, typically enhanced by study in other disciplines. Students work with accomplished artists whose work enriches contemporary American dance; they also study with outstanding research scholars. Making, thinking about, and writing about art are an essential part of the liberal arts education. For this reason the Department of Dance offers technique courses for students of all levels of expertise, while opening its other courses to majors and non-majors alike, who may also audition for its productions.

NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Department of Dance

111 Second Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY | Phone: 212-998-1980 | Email: [email protected]
At the Tisch Department of Dance, we seek to develop and prepare fully realized dance artists to be critical thinkers, fearless leaders, and fluent performers. Our Bachelor's (BFA) and Dual Degree Master's (MFA/MA) programs emphasize the techniques of ballet and contemporary dance, with equal emphasis on performance and choreography.

NEW JERSEY

BFA in Dance Program at Montclair University

1 Normal Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043 | Phone: 973-655-4000 | Email: [email protected]
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance program combines a conservatory-based approach to training with a liberal arts curriculum to prepare students for extraordinary lives and careers as professional dancers. Our intensive course of study is based on anatomically sound, sequential technique to train dancers in modern dance, ballet, jazz, African dance and hip-hop. Our proximity to Manhattan allows us to attract an outstanding full-time faculty and prominent guest artists who work closely with students each semester. With Manhattan just 30 minutes away, you will be able to connect with both world-class dance productions and numerous internship opportunities.

NORTH CAROLINA

UNCSA School of Dance

University of North Carolina School of the Arts, 1533 South Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27127 | Phone: (336) 770-3399 | Email: [email protected]
Like all great artistic disciplines, dance is an ongoing conversation between the classical and the contemporary, between iconic productions of The Nutcracker and daring new works from emerging choreographers. In both the college and high school programs at the School of Dance, you can choose to concentrate in either classical dance or contemporary dance, but you will train and perform extensively in both disciplines. As the exclusive educational affiliate school of the American Ballet Theatre, our industry connections are unrivaled. Through our rigorous and nurturing conservatory experience, you will explore a diverse, world-class repertory that develops talented young performers into technically sound, artistically sensitive and stylistically versatile professional dancers.

OHIO

OSU Department of Dance

316 Sullivant Hall, 1813 N. High St, Columbus, OH 43210 | Phone: 614-292-7977 | Email: [email protected]
An accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Dance, the Department of Dance at The Ohio State University (OSU) offers students rigorous training at the intersection of movement practice, creative activity and theoretical inquiry. Students in the dance program earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and receive a comprehensive education across the field of contemporary dance with a focus on the dancing experience. Because the BFA dance program is focused on building the whole artist, students can combine academic and artistic interests. While dance is the focal point of their academic practice, students can choose from a variety of courses to enrich, extend and support their areas of investigation.

OKLAHOMA

University of Oklahoma School of Dance

560 Parrington Oval, Room 1000, Norman, OK 73019 | Phone: (405) 325-4051 | Email: [email protected]
The University of Oklahoma School of Dance program provides students of classical ballet and modern dance with a thorough experiential base of artistic and academic programs designed to prepare them for careers as performing artists, choreographers and teachers. Classes include beginning to advanced levels in ballet and modern dance technique, pointe, men’s class, composition, Pilates body conditioning, pantomime, ballet and modern dance repertoire, pas de deux, teaching methods, improvisation, choreography and a complete series of courses in dance history. Our School of Dance offers three undergraduate BFA degrees: Ballet Performance, Modern Performance, and Ballet Pedagogy. We also offer a Minor in Dance History and a graduate MFA degree in Dance. We currently have a 90% career placement rate. 

The Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment at Oklahoma City University

2501 N Blackwelder. Oklahoma City, OK 73106 | Phone: 405-208-5000 | [email protected] / [email protected]
The Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment is not just about teaching dance steps or management and teaching skills. We are here to instill character that will serve graduates in their professional careers and personal lives. Our faculty, staff, and administration strive to infuse all courses, performances, and activities with the following values: Respect | Reliability | Responsibility | Ethics | Motivation | Accountability | Courage | Focus | Commitment. Employers desire our graduates because of their professionalism, and graduates live meaningful lives when they embrace a value-driven journey.

PENNSYLVANIA

Dance Program at Point Park University

201 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 | Phone: (412) 392-3451| Email: [email protected]
As a dance student at Point Park University, you will receive intense training in ballet, jazz and modern dance. Point Park University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance. The Department of Dance offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance with a concentration in ballet, jazz or modern. Integrating tradition, innovation, and artistry to move beyond labels, the Department of Dance attracts highly skilled and motivated dancers who are willing to engage with the world around them and advance the dance field.

Dance Program at the University of the Arts

320 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 | Phone: 800-616-ARTS | Email: [email protected]
The Dance program at the University of the Arts is one of the top-rated, most diverse undergraduate dance populations in the country. Your classes will be led by passionate instructors who love dance as much as you do. From ballet to hip-hop, jazz to modern, you'll have the opportunity to learn from instructors with a variety of dance backgrounds and expertise. Our location is in the heart of Philadelphia's thriving art scene. You'll have the opportunity to study with some of the finest professional teaching artists in the world, and extend your dancing into our city and beyond into some of the most important dance and cultural centers in the world.

Department of Dance at Slippery Rock University

1 Morrow Way, Slippery Rock, PA 16057 | Phone: (724) 738-2036 | Email: [email protected]
The dance curriculum is designed specifically for students seeking multilayered careers as dance professionals. It provides the advanced training needed to pursue performing, choreography, technology, and teaching careers in dance. Earning a dance degree from SRU prepares its graduates to transition through different phases of their professional and personal lives while sustaining employability and increasing financial stability as dance professionals.

TEXAS

Dance at SMU Meadows School of the Arts

Southern Methodist University, Meadows School of the Arts. 6101 Bishop, Dallas, Texas 75205 | Phone: 214.768.2000 | Email: [email protected]
One of the top universities offering both conservatory dance instruction and liberal arts education, the SMU Meadows Division of Dance develops disciplined, versatile artists through professional training in ballet, modern and jazz. Undergraduates can earn a B.F.A. in Dance Performance or a minor in Dance Performance. Coursework centers on ballet, modern and jazz, all three of which are required for all first-years and sophomores. During junior and senior years, students select the techniques they wish to concentrate on. In addition to technique training, students are immersed in theoretical studies that include dance history, kinesiology, music theory/history and choreography.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What university has the best dance program?

The "best" dance program can vary depending on individual preferences, career goals, and the specific focus of the program. Please review our above recommendations on the best college dance programs in the USA by state.

Where do most dancers go to college?

Dancers choose colleges based on various factors such as program reputation, faculty expertise, location, and financial considerations. Please check out our section on How to Choose the Best College Dance Program in the USA and review the above recommendations on the best college dance programs in the USA by state.

What is the hardest dance school to get into?

The difficulty of admission to dance schools can vary depending on the program and the number of applicants. Schools with highly competitive admissions processes often include Dance Division at The Juilliard School, Commercial Dance BFA Program at Pace University, and Purchase College Conservatory of Dance, among others. These schools typically require rigorous auditions and have limited acceptance rates.

What is the most successful dance school?

Determining the "most successful" dance school can be subjective and depends on how success is measured (e.g., alumni achievements, program reputation, performance opportunities). Schools that often considered successful are those with renowned faculty, notable alumni, and prestigious performances and collaborations. Please check out our section on How to Choose the Best College Dance Program in the USA and review the above recommendations on the best college dance programs in the USA by state.

What is the best degree for a dancer?

The best degree for a dancer depends on individual career goals and interests within the dance field. For those primarily focused on performance and choreography, a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance offers intensive training in technique, performance, and choreography. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance provides a broader liberal arts education while still offering dance training, suitable for those seeking a well-rounded education. Dancers interested in the science behind movement and injury prevention may opt for a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Dance Science, focusing on anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. Additionally, degrees in Arts Administration prepare dancers for careers in arts management and advocacy. Ultimately, the best degree aligns with the dancer's career aspirations, whether in performance, choreography, dance science, arts administration, or a combination thereof.

What should I major in if I like dance?

If you have a passion for dance, consider majoring in a field that aligns with your career goals and interests within the dance industry. A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance provides intensive training in dance technique, performance, and choreography, ideal for those aspiring to pursue careers as performers or choreographers. Alternatively, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance offers a broader liberal arts education with a focus on dance, suitable for individuals interested in a well-rounded education while still receiving intensive dance training.

What is the highest paying job in dance?

The highest-paying job in dance often depends on factors such as experience, expertise, location, and industry demand. Professional dancers performing with prestigious dance companies or in Broadway productions can earn significant salaries, especially those in principal or soloist roles. Choreographers working on major productions, film projects, or commercial campaigns can also command high fees for their creative work. Additionally, dance educators with advanced degrees and extensive experience may earn substantial salaries, particularly at esteemed dance institutions or universities. Overall, the highest-paying jobs in dance typically involve a combination of talent, skill, experience, and industry recognition.

Is there a demand for dancers?

Yes, there is a demand for dancers across various sectors of the entertainment industry, including stage productions, film and television, concerts and live events, corporate events, theme parks, cruise ships, and more. Dancers are sought after for their talent, creativity, and ability to bring performances to life through movement and expression. Additionally, dance education programs, community organizations, and fitness studios also contribute to the demand for dancers as instructors, choreographers, and coaches.

Can dancing be a good career?

Yes, dancing can be a fulfilling and rewarding career for those who are passionate, dedicated, and willing to pursue opportunities in performance, choreography, teaching, arts administration, or related fields within the dance industry.