[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 2 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music performance schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music performance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked University Of Central Arkansas the best value for a degree in music performance in Arkansas. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $29,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $36,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $38,811. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 2 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
