Compare 5 Dance. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $25,801.
Dance programs produce graduates earning between $23,050 and $32,258—a $9K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 5 ranked programs in Michigan, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Wayne State University's Dance program leads with graduates earning $32,258, substantially above the $25,801 average across all Michigan programs. Western Michigan University follows at $25,240, while Oakland University rounds out the top three at $24,421—showing consistent outcomes across the state's public institutions.
High earnings don't guarantee affordability—debt burden tells the real story. All Michigan Dance programs carry significant financial risk, with Wayne State offering the best relative value despite a 30% payment burden on student loans alone. When parent borrowing is included, payment burdens exceed 56% of discretionary income across all programs.
Highest program earnings: $32,258
Strong outcomes with 82% acceptance
30.1% payment burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
56.8% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $32,258 | 21 | $21,250 | High | $16,378 | High |
| #2 | $25,240 | 20 | $26,188 | High | $22,488 | High | |
| #3 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $24,421 | 12 | $22,750 | High | $17,858 | High |
| #4 | $24,035 | 10 | $24,500 | High | $26,392 | High | |
| #5 | Hope CollegePrivate | $23,050 | 10 | $26,800 | High | $48,059 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
