by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value conducting schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in conducting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Rice University tops our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools in Texas. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the conducting program here. 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.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the best values for conducting. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $26,000. Conducting graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $33,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in conducting will find it at Texas Christian University, which ranked #4. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Conducting graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career conducting graduates make about $60,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in conducting will find it at Southern Methodist University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $18,417. Conducting graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $70,632 early in their careers. Set against $18,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University earned the #6 position for value in conducting this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $10,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.