Dance at University of California-Los Angeles

A dance degree from one of the nation's most selective universities produces surprisingly modest outcomes—UCLA graduates earn less than the typical dance major in California ($24,087) and rank in just the 25th percentile statewide. At $19,787 in first-year earnings, these graduates make roughly $10,000 less than peers from Cal State Long Beach and nearly $9,000 less than UC Irvine dance graduates, despite UCLA's 9% admission rate suggesting a far more competitive program.

The relatively low debt load ($19,309) keeps this from being a financial disaster—the debt roughly equals one year's earnings—but it doesn't change the fundamental challenge. Dance majors typically face modest earning potential regardless of institution, yet UCLA's outcomes trail both state and national medians. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly year to year, though they align with a broader pattern where elite university branding doesn't necessarily translate to better outcomes in performance arts.

For families paying out-of-state tuition or taking on significant debt beyond this median, the math becomes particularly difficult. If your child is admitted to UCLA and passionate about dance, the campus resources and LA entertainment connections may matter more than the salary data suggests, but understand they'll likely start their career earning less than dance graduates from less selective California schools.