[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.
College Factual analyzed 134 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music performance schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music performance, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Central Florida earned the #1 spot for value among music performance schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,567 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,957. Set against $20,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Gulf Coast University earned it the #3 place for music performance. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,015. Early-career music performance graduates make about $50,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for music performance. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $23,992 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $26,311. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $24,315. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #6 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $32,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of North Florida landed the #7 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $20,188 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $24,405 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,188 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University earned the #8 position for value in music performance this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,317 to complete the music performance program here. 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. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Morehead State University ranked #9 on our 2026 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, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $31,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Mcneese State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,489, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,250. Music Performance graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of $36,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Western Carolina University placed #11 among the best values for music performance. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. 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.
Volunteer State Community College earned the #12 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,756, while out-of-state students pay about $17,740. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $40,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts landed the #13 spot for music performance value this year. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public school located in the city of Winston Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,477, while out-of-state students pay about $27,211. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,143. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts generally make around $19,939. Set against $23,143 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 30% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $22,344 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $24,514 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,858 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $38,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Monroe ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $22,465. Music Performance graduates of University Of Louisiana Monroe earn a median of $47,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Valdosta State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. 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, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $28,661. Music Performance graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University landed the #18 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. 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. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Louisiana University earned the #19 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $30,745 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $41,404. That is a strong return on a $30,745 median debt. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
Old Dominion University landed the #20 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #21 for value in music performance this year. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $22,885 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $23,529. Set against $22,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Norfolk State University landed the #22 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Early-career music performance graduates make about $54,971. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #23 among the best values for music performance. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $25,415. Music Performance graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Georgia State University came in at #24 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $29,304 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #25 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Students borrow a median of $25,115 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $13,479. Set against $25,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
These schools also delivered strong value for music performance this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 134 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
