- Founded in 1958, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is the largest modern dance company in the United States. Based in New York City, the company was founded by Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Alvin Ailey, a noted choreographer and dancer.
School Highlights
The Ailey School serves 94 students (100% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 4:1 is lower than the state community college average of 24:1.
Minority enrollment is 86% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 63%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 94 students
- Acceptance Rate: 32%
- Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
- Minority enrollment: 86%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
The Ailey School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New York for:
School Overview
The teacher population of 23 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The Ailey School
(NY) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or nondegree-granting)
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private not-for-profit
Private not-for-profit
Total Faculty
23 staff
43 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of The Ailey School has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 4:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The The Ailey School diversity score of 0.74 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
94 students
746 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
24:1
# Full-Time Students
94 students
528 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
94 students
717 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
94 students
511 students
% Asian
2%
8%
% Hispanic
5%
23%
% Black
33%
19%
% White
14%
37%
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
9%
3%
% Non Resident races
35%
3%
% Unknown races
1%
7%
Diversity Score
0.74
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
86%
35%
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
43%
89%
Median Debt for Graduates
$12,000
$12,251
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,341
$5,152
Acceptance Rate
32%
78%
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate of The Ailey School?
The acceptance rate of The Ailey School is 32%, which is lower than the state average of 78%. The Ailey School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top community colleges in New York with low acceptance rates.
What is The Ailey School's ranking?
The Ailey School ranks among the top 20% of community college in New York for: Lowest acceptance rates and Diversity in US community colleges.
Recent Articles
Healthcare Workforce Programs: Fast Track or Overcrowded Path?
Explore whether community college healthcare programs still offer a fast track to rewarding careers or if growing enrollment and competition are changing the landscape.
How to Judge Job Placement Claims Before Enrolling
Learn how to evaluate community college job placement claims, understand employment statistics, and identify programs with proven career outcomes before you enroll.
Employer Partnerships: Real Hiring Pipeline or Marketing Claim?
Explore how community college employer partnerships work, learn how to identify genuine hiring pipelines, and discover the questions every prospective student should ask before enrolling in a career-focused program.
