2027 Best Value Jazz Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[Jazz Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/jazz-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 49 schools to find the best return on investment 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 earned the #1 spot for value among jazz studies schools in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $20,000. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $19,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for jazz studies. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,902. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $23,119 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $15,520 early in their careers. Set against $23,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for jazz studies. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $19,397 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $16,971. Set against $19,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #6 for value in jazz studies this year. 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. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $47,151. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #7 spot for jazz studies value this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #8 position for value in jazz studies this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $23,089. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia came in at #9 for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $26,789. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $46,432. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University landed the #10 spot for jazz studies value this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $16,481. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #12 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $23,379 early in their careers. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University placed #13 among the best values for jazz studies. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $27,000. Jazz Studies graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,062 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $49,045. That is a strong return on a $25,062 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of North Texas placed #15 among the best values for jazz studies. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $24,456 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $34,346 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #16 position for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $29,946 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies 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. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in jazz studies this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $58,088. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Delaware landed the #19 spot for jazz studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $25,334. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $38,417. That is a strong return on a $25,334 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #20 for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $26,750. Jazz Studies graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $42,484 early in their careers. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #21 position for value in jazz studies this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $46,503. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #22 spot for jazz studies value this year. 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, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $27,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #23 for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $27,000. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Texas Tech University earned the #24 position for value in jazz studies this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,816 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $29,235. Set against $27,816 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #25 spot for jazz studies value this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $31,933 early in their careers. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 49 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
