Dance at University of North Texas

At $25,034 in first-year earnings, University of North Texas's dance program performs better than most nationally but trails other Texas options significantly. While this beats 71% of dance programs across the country, it falls short of the $29,634 median for Texas dance graduates—placing it in just the 25th percentile statewide. When Texas State dance grads are earning $38,967 and even Texas Woman's University hits the state median, UNT's outcome becomes harder to justify for in-state students who could access these alternatives at similar tuition rates.

The debt load of $24,000 is manageable relative to first-year earnings (a ratio just under 1.0), which represents one of the better debt pictures you'll find in performing arts. However, the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift considerably year to year. Dance programs typically see volatile earnings as graduates pursue varied career paths from performance to teaching to arts administration.

For a Texas family, this creates a clear decision point: UNT offers a respectable dance program at an accessible institution, but if your student can gain admission to Texas State or Stephen F. Austin, the earnings premium appears substantial enough to warrant serious consideration, particularly since in-state tuition differences will be modest.