[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music performance students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music performance, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in music performance, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $13,303. Early-career music performance graduates make about $16,996. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for music performance. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for music performance. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $31,437. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $21,614 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $52,541. Set against $21,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Onondaga Community College came in at #6 for value in music performance this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $12,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $35,781. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montclair State University earned the #7 position for value in music performance this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $41,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Schenectady County Community College came in at #8 for value in music performance this year. Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,190, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for value in music performance this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,128. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $31,429. That is a strong return on a $27,128 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Community College Of Philadelphia placed #10 among the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $16,059. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $37,988. That is a strong return on a $16,059 median debt.
University Of Delaware ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,334 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $38,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny At Fredonia earned the #12 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $35,849. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny College At Potsdam placed #13 among the best values for music performance. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $23,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
New Jersey City University earned the #14 position for value in music performance this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $18,544. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $23,991. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for music performance. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,956 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $41,939. That is a strong return on a $27,956 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #17 for value in music performance this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,250. Early-career music performance graduates make about $23,620. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Stony Brook University earned the #18 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,537. Music Performance graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $34,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #19 position for value in music performance this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $22,179 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $22,569. That is a strong return on a $22,179 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Houghton College placed #21 among the best values for music performance. Located in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,725. Early-career music performance graduates make about $26,934. That is a strong return on a $24,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rowan University placed #22 among the best values for music performance. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,500. Music Performance graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $32,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #23 for value in music performance this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #24 spot for music performance value this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $36,818 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Messiah College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $25,965. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $66,109. Set against $25,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Messiah College admits about 79% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for music performance this year:
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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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
