Dance at Dean College

Franklin, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
11 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
12
Optimistic
11
Base Case
7
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,236/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Low (24% exposed)
Job Market Medium (11,500 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #54 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 $442K $443K $419K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.5x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 35% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 12 11 7

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$179,840
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$120,944
33% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
13.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,944
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $24,236 at Dean College come in 8% above the national median of $22,512 for Dance programs.

At 2.5x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 5% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Dance involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

At a 1.1x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #54 ranking among 62 Dance programs places Dean College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 36% earnings increase from $24,236 to $32,944 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Dean College

Dean College accepts 74% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 1,142 in Franklin, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $120,944 — 33% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Dean College →

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 Dean College

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 11/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Dance at Dean College?
At 11/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Dance programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Dance degree from Dean College?
At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 13 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →