Compare 18 Dance. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $24,411.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Dance programs tell a different story. Across 18 programs in the Midwest, earnings range from $14,831 to $39,585—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Iowa's Dance program leads with graduates earning $39,585, nearly triple the lowest performer. Ohio State follows closely at $39,174, while Wayne State rounds out the top three at $32,258. The $24,754 gap between top and bottom programs proves that specific program strength matters more than institutional prestige.
High earnings don't guarantee affordability—debt burden reveals the true cost. Ohio State achieves the best balance with a 16.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category where loan payments won't overwhelm graduates. Iowa leads in earnings but carries an 18.1% burden, while Wayne State graduates face a challenging 30.1% payment burden despite lower borrowing.
Highest program earnings: $39,585
Strong outcomes ($39,585) with 85% acceptance
16.5% payment burden | Manageable
41.1% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of IowaPublic | $39,585 | 13 | $22,500 | Challenging | $27,975 | High |
| #2 | $39,174 | 17 | $19,976 | Manageable | $25,868 | High | |
| #3 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $32,258 | 21 | $21,250 | High | $16,378 | High |
| #4 | Ball State UniversityPublic | $26,353 | 13 | $23,250 | High | $20,800 | High |
| #5 | $25,240 | 20 | $26,188 | High | $22,488 | High | |
| #6 | Webster UniversityPrivate | $25,194 | 5 | $23,000 | High | $13,587 | High |
| #7 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $24,421 | 12 | $22,750 | High | $17,858 | High |
| #8 | Columbia College ChicagoPrivate | $24,374 | 13 | $25,000 | High | $55,700 | High |
| #9 | $24,035 | 10 | $24,500 | High | $26,392 | High | |
| #10 | Hope CollegePrivate | $23,050 | 10 | $26,800 | High | $48,059 | High |
| #11 | $21,964 | 11 | $21,106 | High | $13,695 | High | |
| #12 | $21,234 | 9 | $23,000 | High | $16,149 | High | |
| #13 | $20,625 | 15 | $21,503 | High | $14,012 | High | |
| #14 | Anderson UniversityPrivate | $20,329 | 9 | $27,000 | High | $29,048 | High |
| #15 | $20,140 | 21 | $19,500 | High | $25,729 | High | |
| #16 | $18,507 | 5 | $22,750 | High | $14,381 | High | |
| #17 | $18,087 | 11 | $18,750 | High | $18,462 | High | |
| #18 | $14,831 | 21 | $19,509 | High | $32,850 | 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 →
