Dance at University of Arizona

The University of Arizona's dance program posts first-year earnings of $24,826—above the national median but trailing the state's top performer, Arizona State, by about $2,500 annually. With only three dance programs in Arizona, that gap matters: you're looking at roughly the middle option in-state, falling in the 40th percentile statewide despite ranking in the 70th percentile nationally.

The debt picture requires closer attention given the small sample size (under 30 graduates in this data). At $20,616, borrowers here carry less than the national median for dance majors, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83 means graduates owe nearly a full year's salary. For context, dance programs nationwide typically see modest first-year earnings—this field rarely pays quickly regardless of institution—but Arizona graduates across the state's three programs generally earn slightly more than what UA's program delivers.

These numbers come with an important caveat: small cohorts can swing wildly year to year based on individual outcomes. That said, if your child is committed to dance and wants to stay in Arizona, the manageable debt load here makes this program workable, though ASU's slightly stronger earnings track record deserves consideration. The real question is whether they're prepared for the financial realities that come with any dance degree, regardless of where it's from.