[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Massachusetts Lowell the best value for a degree in music performance in the New England Region. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Southern Maine one of the best values for music performance. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Harvard University one of the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $16,616. Early-career music performance graduates make about $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Keene State College earned it the #4 place for music performance. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,185 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $41,049 early in their careers. Set against $26,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the best values for music performance. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music performance program here. 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. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Yale University came in at #6 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $21,250. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,957. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $30,982. That is a strong return on a $26,957 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut came in at #8 for value in music performance this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $31,336. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Hartford landed the #9 spot for music performance value this year. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $51,123. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bennington College earned the #10 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Students borrow a median of $26,815 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Bennington College earn a median of $29,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,815 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Longy School Of Music Of Bard College came in at #11 for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,275. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Longy School Of Music Of Bard College generally make around $30,660.
The New England Conservatory Of Music ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,750. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,991. Music Performance graduates of The New England Conservatory Of Music earn a median of $24,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The New England Conservatory Of Music admits about 41% of applicants.
Berklee College Of Music placed #13 among the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,040. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,979 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Berklee College Of Music earn a median of $21,670 early in their careers. Set against $24,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
