[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 233 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music performance students.
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The right music performance school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Music Performance Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Music Performance Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music performance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $16,996 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,920. Music Performance graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $56,373 early in their careers. Set against $20,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #3 place for music performance. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $33,384. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $15,933. Music Performance graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $28,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $12,500. Music Performance graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $21,509 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton placed #6 among the best values for music performance. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,469 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $23,969. That is a strong return on a $20,469 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #7 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $15,149. Music Performance graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $27,724 early in their careers. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #9 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $25,391. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Utah Valley University earned the #10 position for value in music performance this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $16,478. Music Performance graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $24,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #11 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #12 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #13 among the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $8,858. Early-career music performance graduates make about $31,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College came in at #14 for value in music performance this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida landed the #15 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,567 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $21,957. That is a strong return on a $20,567 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida State University earned the #16 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $23,992 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $26,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #18 for value in music performance this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $18,938 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $21,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #20 spot for music performance value this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,570. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $47,010. Set against $24,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach came in at #21 for value in music performance this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,550. Music Performance graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $21,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,550 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #22 spot for music performance value this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $13,541 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
El Centro College earned the #23 position for value in music performance this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
University Of North Florida came in at #24 for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,188 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $24,405 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,188 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Southern Utah University landed the #25 spot for music performance value this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
These schools also delivered strong value for music performance this year:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Music Performance. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 233 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 233 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.
