[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music performance education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for music performance students.
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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 Southern Maine the best value for a degree in music performance in the New England Region. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $47,003. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #2 place for music performance. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Music Performance graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $35,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Keene State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #3 spot this year. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,185. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $41,049. That is a strong return on a $26,185 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at University Of Connecticut, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $31,336. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $30,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University earned the #6 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,957 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $30,982. Set against $26,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University earned the #7 position for value in music performance this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Yale University earn a median of $21,250 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Hartford ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $51,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bennington College landed the #9 spot for music performance value this year. Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bennington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Students borrow a median of $26,815 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $29,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The New England Conservatory Of Music earned the #10 position for value in music performance this year. The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,750. Students borrow a median of $26,991 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from The New England Conservatory Of Music generally make around $24,499. That is a strong return on a $26,991 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Longy School Of Music Of Bard College came in at #11 for value in music performance this year. Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,275. Early-career music performance graduates make about $30,660.
Berklee College Of Music landed the #12 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,040. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,979 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Berklee College Of Music admits about 44% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
