[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music performance schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music performance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for music performance in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $32,880. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #3 place for music performance. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,567. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,957. Set against $20,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at The University Of West Florida, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,992. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $26,311. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #6 for value in music performance this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,188 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $24,405 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of North Georgia placed #7 among the best values for music performance. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $21,439. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Morehead State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $31,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Nashville State Community College placed #9 among the best values for music performance. Nashville State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $4,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $16,745. Early-career music performance graduates make about $41,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Kentucky University earned the #10 position for value in music performance this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,317 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $34,766 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #11 for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $24,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #12 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University earned the #13 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $26,135 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #14 among the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $22,344 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $24,514. That is a strong return on a $22,344 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University earned the #15 position for value in music performance this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $28,661. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $44,914. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Old Dominion University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southeastern Louisiana University placed #17 among the best values for music performance. Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public school located in the city of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,851. Students borrow a median of $30,745 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Southeastern Louisiana University generally make around $41,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #18 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $25,858. Music Performance graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $38,831 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,864, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $22,885. Early-career music performance graduates make about $23,529. Set against $22,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Columbus State University landed the #20 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earned the #21 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,477, compared with $27,211 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $23,143 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts generally make around $19,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 30% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #22 for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,115 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $13,479 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Kennesaw State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,400. Music Performance graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,400 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University placed #24 among the best values for music performance. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $26,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Georgia State University earned the #25 position for value in music performance this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,000. Music Performance graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $29,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music performance:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
