Thinking about enrolling your child in competitive dance? It’s an exciting world full of sparkly costumes, trophies, and unforgettable memories — but it also comes with real financial commitments. As a first-time dance mom, understanding the true costs of competitive dance can help you plan ahead and avoid surprises. Let’s break down everything you need to know!
Competitive dance can be very expensive, with annual costs potentially ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 or even higher. This includes:
Tuition and class fees
Competition entry fees
Travel expenses
Costumes
Hair, makeup, and accessories
Optional costs like private lessons, solos, and more
Every studio is a little different, and costs can vary based on how many dances your child competes in and how often you travel.
Most studios require dancers to take multiple classes each week to be part of their competition team. Depending on where you live, monthly tuition can range from $150 to $500 or more. Required classes often include ballet, technique, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, and more.
💡 Tip: Some studios offer unlimited class packages for a flat rate, which can be more affordable if your dancer is taking multiple classes.
Costumes can be a significant expense, with individual costumes often costing several hundred dollars each. Dancers usually need a separate costume for every competition routine, and it’s not unusual for a competitive dancer to perform in 4–8 dances per season.
Don’t forget to budget for:
Extra tights
Specialty shoes for different styles
Hairpieces, jewelry, and costume accessories
As your dancer progresses, they may be offered the opportunity to perform a solo, duo, or trio. While exciting, these performances add extra costs:
Choreography Fee: Typically a one-time fee paid to the choreographer to create the routine.
Solo/Duo/Trio Entry Fees: Competition entry fees for solos can run $100 to $200 each time they compete.
Extra Costumes: Unique costumes specifically for solos or duets may be needed.
While solos and duos can be amazing experiences for dancers, it’s important to factor these additional expenses into your overall budget.
Every competition charges a fee for each routine. Entry fees usually range from $50 to $150 per dance, per competition. Multiply that by the number of dances and competitions attended throughout the season, and it becomes a major part of your dance budget.
Competitions often involve travel and hotel stays. Even local competitions might require overnight accommodations if they run early morning or late-night schedules.
Travel expenses to plan for include:
Hotel rooms ($150–$300 per night)
Meals and snacks
Gas or flights
Families often budget $500 to $1,500 per trip, depending on how far they need to travel and the length of the event. Some teams even attend nationals, which often involve a full week out of town.
💡 Tip: Booking early, sharing hotel rooms, and planning carpools with other dance families can help save money.
There are some extra expenses that new dance moms should prepare for:
Makeup and hair supplies ($100–$200 starting cost)
Warmups, team jackets, or spirit wear ($100+)
Photo and video packages ($50–$300 per competition)
Private lessons (optional, but common for soloists)
Every studio and competition team is different. Before you commit, it’s a good idea to:
Talk to moms who have been part of the team for a few years
Ask for an itemized fee schedule from the studio
Check out online discussions and experiences from other competitive dance families
A great example: this candid Reddit thread where parents discuss how competition costs are skyrocketing (read here) or or explore these tips for first-time dance moms to help you prepare for your dancer’s journey..
Hearing real perspectives can help you get a better idea of what to expect financially.
While competitive dance can be expensive, it’s possible to manage costs with good planning:
Spread out costume, makeup, and shoe purchases across several months
Set up a monthly dance savings fund
Fundraise with your studio if possible
Prioritize what matters most to your dancer and family
Competitive dance is an incredible experience full of growth, discipline, and lifelong memories. But it’s important to go in with a clear understanding of the costs of competitive dance so you can budget smartly and enjoy the journey stress-free. With a little planning, fundraising, and community support, you’ll be ready to make the most of your dancer’s exciting new adventure!
