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University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Browse programs

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MFA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person Only

Program Recognition

Dance at Illinois has trained graduate artists since 1969 and was called "a hotbed of choreographic innovation" by The New York Times

Training

MFA mission is substantive choreographic research positioning dance as a force in contemporary culture

Small graduate community of 12 candidates, admitting roughly four per year

Final year synthesizes the work into a produced choreographic thesis, written thesis document, oral presentation, and a professional career plan

Performance & Productions

Candidates present choreography in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and rehearse across seven dance studios

Notable Alumni

Paige Cunningham (MFA '07) — former dancer with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company

Angie Pittman (MFA '15) — Bessie Award-winning dance artist and choreographer

Value

Teaching, office, and media assistantships fund a majority of candidates; a 25%-or-greater teaching appointment carries a full tuition waiver

Additional support available via the Creative and Performing Arts Fellowship and Graduate College fellowships

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

4.00

Admit rate

42%

school-wide

Grad rate

85%

Enrollment

36.3K

Earnings

$81K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,004

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$35,124

Before aid

Average net price

$14,355

After aid

College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 20, 4:26 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Dance at Illinois has trained graduate artists since 1969 and was called "a hotbed of choreographic innovation" by The New York Times

Training

MFA mission is substantive choreographic research positioning dance as a force in contemporary culture

Small graduate community of 12 candidates, admitting roughly four per year

Final year synthesizes the work into a produced choreographic thesis, written thesis document, oral presentation, and a professional career plan

Performance & Productions

Candidates present choreography in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and rehearse across seven dance studios

Notable Alumni

Paige Cunningham (MFA '07) — former dancer with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company

Angie Pittman (MFA '15) — Bessie Award-winning dance artist and choreographer

Value

Teaching, office, and media assistantships fund a majority of candidates; a 25%-or-greater teaching appointment carries a full tuition waiver

Additional support available via the Creative and Performing Arts Fellowship and Graduate College fellowships

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Dance at Illinois has trained graduate artists since 1969 and was called "a hotbed of choreographic innovation" by The New York Times

Training

MFA mission is substantive choreographic research positioning dance as a force in contemporary culture

Small graduate community of 12 candidates, admitting roughly four per year

Final year synthesizes the work into a produced choreographic thesis, written thesis document, oral presentation, and a professional career plan

Performance & Productions

Candidates present choreography in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and rehearse across seven dance studios

Notable Alumni

Paige Cunningham (MFA '07) — former dancer with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company

Angie Pittman (MFA '15) — Bessie Award-winning dance artist and choreographer

Value

Teaching, office, and media assistantships fund a majority of candidates; a 25%-or-greater teaching appointment carries a full tuition waiver

Additional support available via the Creative and Performing Arts Fellowship and Graduate College fellowships

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App· Only option

Application · Common App

Program AppApplication

Dates

Dates TBA

Apply

School Website

Application Audition · dance.illinois.edu

Prescreen Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Dance

Prescreen Review

Choreographic work samples are evaluated with the application before audition invitations are issued

Additional Materials

Resume

Resume including educational history, choreographic work, scholarships or grants, performance history, teaching history and optional additional skills

Statement

Artistic statement clarifying choreographic goals and how the applicant would use the department and university to develop an artistic mission

Transcript

Unofficial transcripts from every college or university attended

Letters of Recommendation

Three electronic letters of recommendation

Portfolio

Choreographic work samples submitted through the Department of Dance form

Fee

Nonrefundable Graduate College application fee

Application Audition · dance.illinois.edu

Audition Requirements

Dance

Live Audition

Select students are invited first to a virtual audition after application review

Invitation to the in-person MFA audition session at UIUC is required to be eligible for admission

Application Audition · dance.illinois.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply through the Graduate College and complete the Dance application and audition requirements

The official page currently mixes a November 1, 2026 deadline labeled for 2026–27 with audition dates from the completed cycle; a coherent next-cycle schedule has not been published

What's The Process

Audition Process

Select students are invited to a virtual audition after evaluation of submitted materials

Invited finalists must attend the required in-person MFA audition session at UIUC to be eligible for admission

Scholarship Info

Financial Support

Teaching and administrative assistantships are available to graduate students

Assistantships of 25% or greater qualify for a tuition waiver

Graduate College fellowships may also be available

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

4.00

Admit rate

42%

school-wide

Grad rate

85%

Enrollment

36.3K

Earnings

$81K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$16,004

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$35,124

Before aid

Average net price

$14,355

After aid

College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Dance at Illinois has trained graduate artists since 1969 and was called "a hotbed of choreographic innovation" by The New York Times

Training

MFA mission is substantive choreographic research positioning dance as a force in contemporary culture

Small graduate community of 12 candidates, admitting roughly four per year

Final year synthesizes the work into a produced choreographic thesis, written thesis document, oral presentation, and a professional career plan

Performance & Productions

Candidates present choreography in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and rehearse across seven dance studios

Notable Alumni

Paige Cunningham (MFA '07) — former dancer with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company

Angie Pittman (MFA '15) — Bessie Award-winning dance artist and choreographer

Value

Teaching, office, and media assistantships fund a majority of candidates; a 25%-or-greater teaching appointment carries a full tuition waiver

Additional support available via the Creative and Performing Arts Fellowship and Graduate College fellowships

Updated Aug 20, 4:26 PM