C+
Above Average
Score: 55/100
Overall (traditional)
F
Outcome Rating
24/100 · earnings-weighted

The Ailey School

2-Year Private Non-Profit
📍 New York, New York 10019
ℹ️
Rating Context: This institution has fewer than 500 students. Smaller schools may show more rating variability due to limited data points.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C+) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Outcomes
C+
63/100
Affordability
D
35/100
Resources
B
73/100
Experience
B+
78/100
Prestige
D
31/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

88
Total Enrollment
N/A
Graduation Rate
86%
Retention Rate
3.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
49%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at The Ailey School, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$22,782
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$23,620
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$17,500
Median debt at graduation
84.2%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
23.9%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 77% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 9th percentile among certificate-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (NY wage index 1.10). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at The Ailey School

Median pay of undergraduate certificate or diploma graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Dance$13,598$24,453-15%——$13,898

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The The Ailey School Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $1,229,885
  • Avg rent near campus: $4,856/mo — vs ~$1,360/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 10036 (3.7% cap, New York)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

✓ Sent — check your inbox

Free — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

🏆 Where The Ailey School Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

#18
Dance, General
of 27 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $13,925 $13,925
Room $12,238
Total Cost (On-Campus) $38,387 $38,387

Financial Aid

38%
Receive Any Aid
19%
Receive Pell Grants
24%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Programs & Career Paths

Top Degree Programs

Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.

Dance, General 42 grads/yr

Related Career Paths

Careers that graduates from The Ailey School's top programs commonly pursue.

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
$80k/yr 122,800 jobs
Choreographers
$56k/yr 4,600 jobs
Dancers
12,300 jobs

Student Demographics

88
Total Students
83%
Women
94%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 14%
Hispanic 5%
Black 33%
Asian 3%
Two or More 9%
Non-Resident 35%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 100%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 94%
25-64 (Adult) 5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at The Ailey School?
The Ailey School has an acceptance rate of 49%. This makes it a moderately selective institution with competitive admission standards.
How much does it cost to attend The Ailey School?
Tuition at The Ailey School is $13,925 for in-state students and $13,925 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at The Ailey School?
Graduation rate data is not available for this institution.
Is The Ailey School a good school?
The Ailey School has a Repit College Score of 55/100 (Grade: C+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (C+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (D): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (B): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend The Ailey School?
The Ailey School has a total enrollment of 88 students. Most students (94%) are traditional college-age (18-24).

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for The Ailey School — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to The Ailey School

Compare with other 2-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.

C+
American Academy of Dramatic Arts-New York
New York, NY · 225 students
C+
Bnos Zion Of Bobov Seminary
Brooklyn, NY · 142 students
C+
Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater
New York City, NY · 71 students
C+
Arnot Ogden Medical Center
Elmira, NY · 29 students
C
Pomeroy College of Nursing at Crouse Hospital
East Syracuse, NY · 179 students
C+
Ohel Margulia Seminary
Monsey, NY · 243 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology