2027 Best Value Jazz Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Jazz Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/jazz-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 62 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for jazz studies students.
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2027 Best Value Jazz Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in jazz studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Jazz Studies Schools
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #2 place for jazz studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $20,000. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $19,145. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in jazz studies will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $22,125. That is a strong return on a $23,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of North Florida came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $20,188 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $24,405 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned it the #5 place for jazz studies. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $31,000. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $47,151. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $22,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #7 among the best values for jazz studies. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $44,510. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $22,108. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $31,821 early in their careers. Set against $22,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #9 position for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #10 among the best values for jazz studies. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $22,315. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University came in at #11 for value in jazz studies this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia landed the #12 spot for jazz studies value this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $46,432 early in their careers. Set against $26,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #13 among the best values for jazz studies. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $13,128. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #14 for value in jazz studies this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $77,997. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,370, compared with $3,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music earn a median of $5,005 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #16 for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $23,593. Soon after graduation, jazz studies 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.
Columbus State University placed #17 among the best values for jazz studies. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas came in at #18 for value in jazz studies this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $24,456 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $31,450 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,456 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for jazz studies. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,062 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Ball State University came in at #20 for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $47,863. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #21 spot for jazz studies value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Western Michigan University came in at #22 for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $24,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware came in at #24 for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $25,334 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $38,417. That is a strong return on a $25,334 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #25 position for value in jazz studies this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $23,991. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Jazz Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s jazz studies value ranking:
Other Jazz Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Jazz Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Jazz Studies Rankings >
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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
