Dance at Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
17 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
17
Optimistic
17
Base Case
13
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,626/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Low (24% exposed)
Job Market Medium (11,500 openings/yr)
ROI 7.9x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #30 of 62 Dance programs Top 50%

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 $452K $453K $427K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.9x 7.9x 7.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.7x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 35% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 17 17 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)
$57,188
Out-of-state: $121,676 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,092
-3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,750
12.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,720
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $23,626/yr, roughly in line with the $22,512 national median for Dance. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.9x 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 5% — this field's hands-on core resists automation.

Median debt of $24,750 against $23,626/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.0 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

At #30 of 62 Dance programs, Wayne State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $23,626 to $34,720 over five years — a 47% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Wayne State University

Wayne State University accepts 82% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 15,676 students in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Wayne State 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 Wayne State 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 Wayne State University?
A score of 17/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dance. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Dance at Wayne State University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $24,750 against $23,626/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 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 →