Dance at The Ailey School

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Certificate

A 49% admission rate makes The Ailey School accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 88 students in New York, NY.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $13,598 track close to the $13,598 national median for Dance programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

At 10.0x the cost of tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

With only 24% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Dance are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The $13,898 debt load exceeds a year of the $13,598 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

With only 1 programs offering Dance nationally, this is a niche field. The Ailey School ranks #1 among them.

26 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
23
Low End
26
Score
27
High End
Earnings $13,598/yr (0% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (76% shielded)
Job Market Medium (11,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$142K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
10.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
3 of 3
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$14,235
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,898
12.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$18,825
38% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Dance graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190 +1.7% 56%
Choreographers $55,600 +6.1% 73%
Dancers N/A +4.5% 98%
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
$80,190
+1.7% growth 56% AI-proof
Choreographers
$55,600
+6.1% growth 73% AI-proof
Dancers
N/A
+4.5% growth 98% AI-proof

Dance Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Dance careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering arts & design.

Read the full Dance career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dance Overview

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dance at The Ailey School?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dance. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Dance jobs?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 24% of Dance tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 3 of 3 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
What's the payoff timeline for Dance from The Ailey School?
Median debt of $13,898 against $13,598/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average for a trade program — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Is The Ailey School one of the best schools for Dance?
Ranked #1 of 1 programs nationally, The Ailey School lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →