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Visual & Performing Arts · Dance Rank #46 of 62

Danceat Indiana University-Bloomington

Graduates earn $14,831/yr in their first year — about 34.0% below the national Dance average. Base-case 10-year earnings $380K; scenarios range from $365K to $377K depending on AI disruption.

Bloomington, IN Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
14 AT RISK
15
Optimistic
13
Pessimistic
Earnings
$14,831
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$380K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Low
21% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Indiana University

The financial data for Dance at IU-Bloomington reflects the challenging realities of a highly competitive artistic field. While IU offers a strong program, often benefiting from its comprehensive arts school environment, the immediate post-graduation career landscape for dancers frequently involves freelance work, regional companies, or studio teaching positions that may not offer high initial compensation. Bloomington isn't a primary arts market, meaning many graduates will need to relocate to find extensive performance or stable choreography opportunities. Success in dance frequently requires significant networking, resilience, and often, supplementing income through other means. You'll build valuable artistic skills here, but understand that a sustainable career often demands an entrepreneurial spirit and a diversified approach, perhaps blending performance with arts administration, teaching, or related health fields.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$365K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score13/100
Earnings Multiple7.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$380K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score14/100
Earnings Multiple8.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$377K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score15/100
Earnings Multiple8.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Indiana University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Dance graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 9,000 openings/yr
$80,190/yr
Moderate
2
Choreographers
+6.1% 10-yr growth · 700 openings/yr
$55,600/yr
Low
3
Dancers
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 1,800 openings/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Dance

How Indiana University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Texas State University
TX · Public
39
DW Score
$39K
1-yr earn
10.9x
ROI
Stephen F Austin State University
TX · Public
29
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
6.9x
ROI
University of South Carolina-Columbia
SC · Public
28
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
5.6x
ROI
Oakland University
MI · Public
27
DW Score
$32K
1-yr earn
4.4x
ROI
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
MN · Public
26
DW Score
$32K
1-yr earn
3.8x
ROI
Also at Indiana University

Other top programs at Indiana University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Indiana University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Dance offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Dance trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Dance at Indiana University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Dance at Indiana University-Bloomington?

A score of 14/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dance. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Can you still earn well with Dance from Indiana University-Bloomington?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.