Dance at Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
16 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
17
Optimistic
16
Base Case
13
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,397/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk Low (24% exposed)
Job Market Medium (11,500 openings/yr)
ROI 6.1x earnings multiple (2.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #38 of 62 Dance programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Dance graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $399K $402K $384K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 6.1x 6.1x 5.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.6x 2.6x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 35% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 17 16 13

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,832
Out-of-state: $156,168 (2.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$77,808
-18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
15.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $20,397/yr, Dance graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University land near the $22,512 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 6.1x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic ten-year scenarios is just 4% — this field's hands-on core resists automation.

Median debt of $27,000 against $20,397/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.3 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #38 of 62 Dance programs, Virginia Commonwealth University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Virginia Commonwealth University

With 93% of applicants admitted, Virginia Commonwealth University prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 20,797 students in Richmond, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Commonwealth University →

Top Career Paths

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
Choreographers $55,600/yr
Dancers N/A
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Dance at Other Schools

Other Majors at Virginia Commonwealth University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Dance at Virginia Commonwealth University?
A score of 16/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dance. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Dance at Virginia Commonwealth University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $20,397/yr starting salary means roughly 1.3 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →