Dance at Kennesaw State University

Before dismissing this program based on first-year earnings, parents should know that Kennesaw State's dance degree performs better than most in Georgia—landing at the 60th percentile statewide despite those modest initial numbers. That $18,888 starting figure looks low nationally (24th percentile), but it actually matches Georgia's median for dance programs. The debt load of $22,762 is manageable compared to many arts programs, though it still represents 1.2 times that first year's income.

The real concern here is whether these numbers will improve over time, and that's where the small sample size becomes critical. With fewer than 30 recent graduates tracked, a handful of students pursuing further education or working part-time could skew the picture significantly. Dance careers often require years of freelance work, additional training, or geographic relocation before earnings stabilize—trajectories that first-year data won't capture.

For families considering this investment, the math works better than it might appear at first glance. Your child would be borrowing less than both the state and national averages for dance degrees, and Kennesaw's relative strength in Georgia suggests decent regional connections. But be clear-eyed: this is a passion-driven field where financial payoff requires patience, hustle, and often supplementary income streams early on.