Dance at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

UW-Stevens Point's dance program graduates earn slightly below what dance majors make elsewhere in Wisconsin—about $2,400 less than the state median and nearly $5,000 less than what graduates from UW-Milwaukee command. Starting at $20,625 annually, these graduates face tight finances immediately, though the $26,000 debt load is at least manageable compared to many dance programs nationwide. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.26 means graduates will carry debt equal to 15 months of their first-year salary, which is reasonable for arts degrees but still requires careful budgeting.

The small sample size here matters: with fewer than 30 recent graduates tracked, a few outliers could skew the picture significantly. That said, the consistent message across both state and national comparisons—this program lands near the 40th percentile—suggests the earnings pattern is real. For families considering this program, the key question isn't whether dance will lead to immediate financial comfort (it won't), but whether Stevens Point specifically offers advantages that justify attending here rather than UW-Milwaukee or schools in neighboring states.

If your child is passionate about dance and committed to Wisconsin, understand they'll likely need supplemental income or family support in those early years. The relatively modest debt helps, but starting salaries in the low $20,000s make even average student loans feel heavy.