by our College Data Analytics Team
[Conducting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/conducting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for conducting students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the conducting degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among conducting schools in the United States. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $19,397. Early-career conducting graduates make about $22,272. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Students looking for strong value in conducting will find it at Rice University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Students looking for strong value in conducting will find it at University Of North Florida, which ranked #3. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $20,188 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $24,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Students looking for strong value in conducting will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in conducting, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Conducting graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #6 among the best values for conducting. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $22,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Conducting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Conducting graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $15,670 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Wichita State University earned the #8 position for value in conducting this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the conducting program here. Conducting graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $27,846. Early-career conducting graduates make about $17,638. That is a strong return on a $27,846 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for conducting. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Conducting graduates carry a median of $25,062 in student loans. Conducting graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Conducting graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,175. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #13 position for value in conducting this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Conducting graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Early-career conducting graduates make about $22,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music placed #14 among the best values for conducting. Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $3,370, with out-of-state students paying around $3,850. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $5,005. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $24,775. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University came in at #16 for value in conducting this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $28,000. Early-career conducting graduates make about $59,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Winthrop University placed #17 among the best values for conducting. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Conducting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Conducting graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $25,952 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Conducting graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #19 among the best values for conducting. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $26,000. Early-career conducting graduates make about $39,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #20 among the best values for conducting. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Conducting graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career conducting graduates make about $38,656. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #21 for value in conducting this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $19,162. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #22 for value in conducting this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Conducting graduates carry a median of $27,975 in student loans. Conducting graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $24,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Houghton College placed #23 among the best values for conducting. Located in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,430 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,725 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Houghton College generally make around $26,934. Set against $24,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for conducting. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $36,252. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Oregon ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Students borrow a median of $20,583 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $20,707. Set against $20,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in conducting:
Explore the best-value conducting schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.