Dance at University of North Carolina School of the Arts

A dance degree from UNC School of the Arts starts at a sobering $14,201 in first-year earnings—landing in the bottom 10% of North Carolina dance programs—but graduates see 54% income growth by year four. That trajectory still leaves them earning $21,890, which trails both the state median ($23,587) and programs at UNC Greensboro and UNC Charlotte. With $23,000 in debt, graduates face more than a year and a half of their initial earnings just to break even, a challenging burden when those first years barely reach poverty-level wages.

The fundamental issue here isn't the quality of training at this selective conservatory (33% admission rate)—it's the economic reality of professional dance careers. Even the strongest earnings growth can't overcome an initial salary that makes loan repayment nearly impossible without additional income sources. The relatively moderate debt load provides some relief compared to other arts programs, but when you're earning $14,000 your first year, even $23,000 in loans becomes overwhelming.

This program makes financial sense only if your child has significant family support to cover living expenses during those lean early years, or if they plan to pursue dance as part of a broader career strategy that includes teaching, choreography, or arts administration. Without that safety net or dual-track plan, the numbers point toward financial stress that could force them out of their chosen field before their earnings have time to grow.