by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music performance schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music performance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Western Illinois University tops our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools in Illinois. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $30,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $32,666. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #2 place for music performance. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,625. Early-career music performance graduates make about $25,536. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $29,000. Music Performance graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $41,632 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois State University earned it the #4 place for music performance. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $35,863. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Roosevelt University earned it the #5 place for music performance. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,750. Music Performance graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $29,974 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,750 median debt. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #6 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $29,160. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #7 among the best values for music performance. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,556. Music Performance graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $26,540 early in their careers. Set against $24,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwestern University landed the #8 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $18,166 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $28,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Depaul University earned the #9 position for value in music performance this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,334. Early-career music performance graduates make about $22,885. That is a strong return on a $23,334 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.