[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 217 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music performance students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music performance degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in music performance, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $13,303. 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. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,920. Early-career music performance graduates make about $56,373. Set against $20,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #3 place for music performance. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $33,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fullerton one of 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, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,469. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $23,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for music performance. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,509. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Northridge landed the #6 spot for music performance value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $15,933. Early-career music performance graduates make about $18,226. That is a strong return on a $15,933 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $27,724. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento landed the #8 spot for music performance value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $25,391. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University earned the #9 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $24,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Stanislaus placed #10 among the best values for music performance. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $14,813. Early-career music performance graduates make about $46,807. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #11 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. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $32,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #12 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #13 for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #14 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,567 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,957. Set against $20,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida State University placed #15 among the best values for music performance. 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. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $23,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $19,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #16 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. 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. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #17 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $20,550 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $18,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida earned the #18 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $47,141. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #19 among the best values for music performance. 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. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Set against $13,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #20 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $18,938. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of North Florida came in at #21 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,188 in student loans. 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.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #22 spot for music performance value this year. 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. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $23,119 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $22,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia earned the #23 position for value in music performance this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
San Jose State University placed #24 among the best values for music performance. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Weber State University came in at #25 for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music performance:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Music Performance rankings across degree levels:
View All Music Performance Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 217 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 217 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.
