Dance Performance at NIU
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Join us to prepare for an adaptable career as a dance professional.
Our B.F.A. in dance performance program provides rigorous technique training and will support your artistic growth, building your confidence to compete and succeed at the professional level. You’ll benefit from our small class sizes of 10 to 14 students, taught exclusively by faculty who continue their professional careers in dance.
You’ll also have tremendous feedback opportunities, perform in four dance concerts per year and enjoy access to NIU’s comprehensive student services. In addition, we bring in professional dance companies every year to work directly with dance students like you.
Find dance performance Scholarships
Did You Know?
Most dance majors receive a talent scholarship to help pay for tuition. Be sure to come to the B.F.A. dance scholarship audition!
What Can I Do With a Dance Performance Degree From NIU?
Your professional training will give you a strong foundation for a dance career. Our amazing alumni have danced professionally with many performance companies, and many have built meaningful related careers with professional dance organizations.
Alumni dance jobs include national and regional ballet, modern and contemporary companies, opera, commercial and industry work. Other graduates have used the skills they’ve learned to open dance studios, begin teaching careers or attend graduate school to pursue careers in dance education, dance physical therapy and other dance-related fields.
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What to Expect as a Dance Performance Major at NIU
You’ll receive comprehensive training and dance in 10-17 technique classes per week, including ballet, modern dance, jazz dance, Afro-Cuban dance and more. You’ll perform in four fully produced concerts each year featuring original works by our faculty, masterworks from classical and contemporary dance repertories, and student-choreographed productions.
Our faculty are industry professionals with real-world experience and connections who are award-winning performers, choreographers and directors from renowned companies. We also offer workshops and residencies with internationally recognized artists from around the region and beyond.
How We’ll Help You Succeed
Apply for free and we’ll automatically consider you for a renewable merit scholarship.
Pursue your bachelor's degree at an exceptional value with our affordable tuition and fees.
Get access to career support resources like assessments, leadership courses and resume/cover letter support.
Apply to NIU
First-year Students
(Freshman)
High School GPA
3.0 or higher?
You're guaranteed general NIU admission.
ACT/SAT SCORES
We think your high school GPA is a better predictor of your success.
Transfer Students
ALL COLLEGES GPA
2.0 or higher?
You're guaranteed general NIU admission.
ALL COLLEGES GPA
3.0 or higher?
You're guaranteed a
renewable merit scholarship.