Dance at Marymount Manhattan College

Marymount Manhattan's dance graduates start at typical earnings for the field but show something relatively rare: meaningful income growth. While the $21,880 starting salary matches the national median almost exactly, earnings climb 54% to reach $33,622 by year four—significantly outpacing most dance programs, where incomes often stagnate or grow modestly. Among New York dance programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, above schools like Pace and Fordham.

The $27,000 debt load sits at the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of dance programs leave graduates with more debt. That's crucial context for a field where typical starting salaries hover around $22,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.23 means graduates owe about 15 months of their first-year income—manageable if that upward earnings trajectory continues, though those early years will require careful budgeting.

The real question is whether your child is committed to making dance work financially long-term. The year-four earnings of $33,622 suggest graduates are finding ways to build sustainable careers, but those first few years earning $22,000 in New York City will be challenging. If your child is serious about professional dance and willing to navigate the lean early years, this program's combination of relatively controlled debt and demonstrated income growth makes it one of the more viable dance options in the state.