2026 Best Value Conducting Schools in New York
[Conducting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/conducting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value conducting schools.
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2026 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
Leading the list is Cuny Queens College, our #1 best value for conducting in New York. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,902. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Houghton College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value conducting schools. Located in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,430. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $24,725. 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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester is a great value for students pursuing a degree in conducting, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Ithaca College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in conducting, landing the #4 spot this year. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $52,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $38,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The Juilliard School is a great value for students pursuing a degree in conducting, landing the #5 spot this year. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,950. Conducting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Conducting graduates of The Juilliard School earn a median of $14,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University placed #6 among the best values for conducting. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $26,130. Conducting graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $18,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Manhattan School Of Music landed the #7 spot for conducting value this year. Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,050. Conducting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Conducting graduates of Manhattan School Of Music earn a median of $18,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 41%.
The New School came in at #8 for value in conducting this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Conducting graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. 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. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
