[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music performance schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music performance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked University Of Akron Main Campus the best value for a degree in music performance in Ohio. 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. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $25,062. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $35,273. That is a strong return on a $25,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $35,209. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cleveland State University one of the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $32,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $49,077. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Otterbein University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #5 spot this year. Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,548. Students borrow a median of $25,282 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Otterbein University generally make around $45,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for music performance value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $34,193. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent placed #7 among the best values for music performance. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $28,000. Music Performance graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $24,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Capital University came in at #8 for value in music performance this year. Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $43,234. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $33,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $27,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Cedarville University earned the #10 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $22,110. Music Performance graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in music performance this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $23,946 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $22,533 early in their careers. Set against $23,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Tiffin University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,790 in tuition and fees. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $30,977 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $51,326. Set against $30,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,832 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $46,668. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Cleveland Institute Of Music landed the #14 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland Institute Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,880. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $25,500. Music Performance graduates of Cleveland Institute Of Music earn a median of $19,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland Institute Of Music admits about 47% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford placed #15 among the best values for music performance. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $19,353. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
Oberlin College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,366. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,200. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $17,141. Set against $26,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.
More Music Performance Rankings
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
