2027 Best Value Conducting Schools in New York
[Conducting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/conducting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for conducting students.
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2027 Best Value Conducting Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in conducting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Conducting Schools
Cuny Queens College tops our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools in New York. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,902. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Houghton College one of the best values for conducting. Set in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,430. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $24,725. Conducting graduates of Houghton College earn a median of $26,934 early in their careers. Set against $24,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in conducting will find it at University Of Rochester, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Students borrow a median of $26,769 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $27,409. That is a strong return on a $26,769 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Ithaca College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $38,328. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Syracuse University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $26,130. Early-career conducting graduates make about $18,574. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
The Juilliard School earned the #6 position for value in conducting this year. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,950. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the conducting program here. Conducting graduates of The Juilliard School earn a median of $14,101 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Juilliard School admits about 9% of applicants.
Manhattan School Of Music ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Located in the city of New York, Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,050. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $27,000. Early-career conducting graduates make about $18,441. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
The New School ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $24,000. Conducting graduates of The New School earn a median of $15,510 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
