Minnesota State University - Mankato
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Program Characteristics
No Prescreen
Scholarship Audition
No Interview
University App Required
Program Highlights
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
•Comprehensive liberal arts education with diverse dance genre training
•Curriculum balances artistic experiences with practical applications across multiple dance styles
•Part of a department that ranks in the nation’s top 1% of colleges in theatre attendance
PRODUCTIONS & PERFORMANCE
•Two dance concerts per semester plus diverse off-campus performance opportunities
•Three dedicated performance venues including the Earley Center for Performing Arts
CAREER PREPARATION
•Alumni work professionally as dancers, choreographers, teachers, studio owners, dance therapists, and arts administrators
•Pathway to Minnesota’s first MFA in Dance through the Theatre & Dance graduate program
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Graduates pursue professional careers in performance, choreography, private studio ownership, and dance therapy across the region
Key Info
Program AppApplication
Audition
Placement Audition (Mankato, MN)Feb 27, 2026
Good to Know
ENROLLMENT
•No admission audition required — apply and be admitted to the university, then declare Dance major
•Placement audition required to determine appropriate technique course levels
TALENT GRANTS
•Incoming students encouraged to apply for Theatre & Dance Talent Grant
•Complete the Talent Grant Application to be considered for a scholarship
What's The Process
PLACEMENT AUDITION
•All new dance students are required to audition for placement in dance courses
•This is NOT an admission audition — acceptance to the dance program does not require an audition
•Placement auditions occur in February and August each year
•Audition includes a dance class (ballet, contemporary/modern, jazz)
•Video audition submissions accepted for students who cannot travel to campus
CONTACT
•Daniel Stark, Dance Faculty
Scholarship Info
TALENT GRANTS
•First-Year and Transfer Talent Grants available for incoming Theatre and Dance majors
•Complete the Talent Grant Application to be considered
RETURNING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
•Over two dozen departmental scholarships for currently enrolled students
•Awards range from $1,100 to nearly $2,500
•Applications open every February via Academic Works
Program info updated Mar 27, 2:16 AM
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
•Comprehensive liberal arts education with diverse dance genre training
•Curriculum balances artistic experiences with practical applications across multiple dance styles
•Part of a department that ranks in the nation’s top 1% of colleges in theatre attendance
PRODUCTIONS & PERFORMANCE
•Two dance concerts per semester plus diverse off-campus performance opportunities
•Three dedicated performance venues including the Earley Center for Performing Arts
CAREER PREPARATION
•Alumni work professionally as dancers, choreographers, teachers, studio owners, dance therapists, and arts administrators
•Pathway to Minnesota’s first MFA in Dance through the Theatre & Dance graduate program
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Graduates pursue professional careers in performance, choreography, private studio ownership, and dance therapy across the region
Updated Mar 27, 2:16 AM
Academic School Information
3.29
Avg GPA (W)
88%
Admit Rate
54%
Grad Rate
11,703
Enrollment
$56,922
Earnings
10yr after
In-State Tuition
$9,572
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,942
before aid
Average Annual Cost
$19,139
after typical aid
Average annual cost is often lower than tuition because it accounts for grants and scholarships most students receive. It includes tuition, room & board, books, and supplies.
Family Income $0 - $30k$12,339
Family Income $30k - $48k$12,750
Family Income $48k - $75k$15,137
Family Income $75k - $110k$18,921
Family Income $110k+$22,798
