Program Analysis
At $21,540/yr, Dance graduates from Western Michigan University land near the $22,512 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 6.7x 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 $21,540/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 #49 of 62 Dance programs, Western Michigan University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $25,211 are relatively flat compared to the $21,540 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.