STUDENT RECOGNITION
YOUNG ARTS
The National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists
NHSDA
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PHYSICAL THERAPY
Physical therapy helps dancers build strength, balance, and flexibility while correcting imbalances that can lead to injury. It enhances performance, promotes quicker recovery, and teaches proper alignment and movement patterns—helping dancers move more efficiently, prevent injury, and sustain long, healthy dance careers.
COLLEGES UNIVERSITIES & CONSERVATORIES
with Great Performing Arts Programs
something to think about ….
MANY OF THESE PROGRAMS HAVE AN AUDITION PROCESS. YOU NEED TO PREPARE LIKE YOU WOULD FOR AN SAT/ACT
MAJOR UNIVERSITIES WITH TOP TIER DANCE PROGRAMS
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University of Michigan — Ann Arbor. BFA Dance, Musical Theater elite program.
Indiana University — Bloomington. Ballet + contemporary, Jacobs School connection.
University of Arizona — Tucson. BFA Dance, strong ballet + modern.
Ohio State University — Columbus. MFA powerhouse, research-driven.
Florida State University — Tallahassee. BFA/BFA in Dance, strong program.
NYU Tisch School of the Arts — NYC. BFA Dance, strong contemporary + experimental focus. BFA Musical Theater elite program.
University of Oklahoma — Norman. BFA, ballet heritage.
Point Park University — Pittsburgh. Conservatory-style BFA, great for musical theater + dance.
Chapman University — Orange, CA. BFA Dance Performance.
Elon University — NC. BFA Dance + choreography focus.
Butler University — Indianapolis. Jordan College of the Arts, strong ballet.
Pace University — NYC. BFA, commercial dance + performing arts.
Webster University — St. Louis. BFA Dance, conservatory within a university.
Sam Houston State University — TX. MFA Dance, growing reputation.
Historically Strong for Ballet
University of Utah — SLC. Ballet + modern, connected to Ballet West.
Texas Christian University (TCU) — Fort Worth. BFA Ballet + Modern Dance.
IN-STATE Performing Arts Programs
Theater, Musical Theater + Dance
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University of Miami — Frost School — Coral Gables, FL. BFA Musical Theatre & Dance
FSU — Tallahassee, FL. BFA dance degree, BFA Musical Theater, and great dance team
NWSA — Miami, FL UF degree with conservatory training
FAU is the best value BFA MT in the state AND has a top-5 NDA dance team
UF Gainsville, FL. Musical Theatre only takes 6 students per year — most selective program in Florida
Florida International University
BFA in Musical Theatre
COLLEGES WITH TOP DANCE TEAMS
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University of Minnesota — 18+ UDA national titles (jazz & pom). The dynasty. Known for insane unison and thriving under pressure.
The Ohio State University — D1A Jazz champs. Perennial top finisher across categories.
BYU Cougarettes — 16 NDA titles. 50+ performances/year. Their mascot Cosmo going viral didn't hurt either.
University of Louisville Ladybirds — Legendary program. Multiple national titles across jazz, pom, hip hop.
Towson University — 17 NDA championships. "No team works harder." Academics-first culture.
Stephen F. Austin State University — 12 NDA titles. One of the largest teams in the country (43 members). Audition requires quad pirouettes + side aerials.
ON THE RISE
Grand Canyon University — 2026 D1 Jazz national champs (first title ever!).
Cal State Fullerton — 2026 D1 Pom champs + 2nd in D1 Jazz. Consistently elite.
Weber State University — 2026 D1 Hip Hop champs + 3rd in D1 Jazz. A force.
UNLV Rebel Girls — 2026 D1A Hip Hop champs.
LSU — 2nd in D1A Jazz AND D1A Hip Hop. Always in the mix.
Minnesota State, Mankato — Won TWO Open titles in 2026 (Jazz + Pom).
Arizona State Sun Devils — 2x ICA World Champions. Known for insane turn sequences. Audition requires 5 clean pirouettes + side aerial.
Penn State Lionettes — 3 straight NDA D1A titles (2012-14). Signature synchronized jump splits.
University of Cincinnati — Top finisher at UDA. 3rd in D1A Hip Hop 2026.
Texas Tech — 2nd D1A Pom 2026. Strong program.
University of Missouri Golden Girls — Historic program, always competitive.
University of Memphis — Consistent NDA/UDA presence.
Hofstra University — 3rd D1 Pom 2026. East Coast sleeper.
UC Santa Barbara — 2nd D1 Pom 2026. Rising fast.
PERFORMING ARTS POWERHOUSE COLLEGES FOR MUSICAL THEATER & DANCE WITH CONSERVATORY TRAINING
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University of Michigan — Ann Arbor. BFA Dance, Musical Theater elite program.
NYU Tisch School of the Arts — NYC. BFA Dance, strong contemporary + experimental focus.
Carnegie Mellon University — PA Pittsburgh. Top for musical theater + drama.
CalArts (California Institute of the Arts) — Valencia, CA. BFA/MFA, experimental + interdisciplinary.
Boston Conservatory at Berklee — Boston. BFA Dance, strong musical theater crossover.
USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance — LA. BFA program, industry connections.
Syracuse University — NY. Strong BFA programs in drama, musical theater, dance.
University of Cincinnati CCM — Cincinnati. Musical theater dynasty, strong dance.
Marymount Manhattan College — NYC. BFA Dance, city access.
Elon University — Elon, NC. BFA Musical Theatre. Growing reputation, strong industry connections.
Pace University — NYC. BFA Musical Theatre. Manhattan campus = direct industry access.
Emerson College — Boston, MA. BFA Musical Theater. 9 productions/season, 30+ student performance organizations.
University of Oklahoma — Norman, OK. BFA Musical Theatre. Historic program, Rodgers & Hammerstein legacy.
Northwestern University — Evanston, IL. BA with Music Theatre Certificate (unique structure). Strong liberal arts combo.
Juilliard School — NYC. The gold standard. BFA in Dance. Acting. Voice
( no cross disciplinary training )
SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance — NY. Conservatory training, affordable.
University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) — Winston-Salem. BFA, intensive conservatory.
The Hartt School (University of Hartford) — CT. BFA Musical Theatre.
Montclair State University — NJ. BFA Musical Theatre. Affordable, great NYC proximity.
Sam Houston State University — TX. Growing MT reputation.
Marymount Manhattan College — NYC. BFA program with city access.
American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) — NYC & LA campuses. Conservatory-only (no liberal arts). Fast-track training.
