[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 9 schools to find the best return on investment for music performance students.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Music Performance Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Learn More
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 University Of Massachusetts Lowell this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $35,311. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $30,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Boston University one of the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,957 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $30,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
The New England Conservatory Of Music is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Longy School Of Music Of Bard College one of the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Cambridge, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit university. 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 #6 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. Students from in state pay about $52,040 in tuition and fees. 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. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
More Music Performance Rankings
View All Music Performance Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 4 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.
