[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 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.
For return on investment in music performance, no school beat The University Of West Florida this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Florida earned it the #3 place for music performance. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $20,188 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $24,405. That is a strong return on a $20,188 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,567 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,957. That is a strong return on a $20,567 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,992 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $26,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #6 for value in music performance this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Stetson University placed #7 among the best values for music performance. Set in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,410. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,548. Music Performance graduates of Stetson University earn a median of $15,905 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,548 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Jacksonville University earned the #8 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $25,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,219. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Jacksonville University admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Miami ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $13,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $23,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Lynn University placed #10 among the best values for music performance. Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,480. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $21,391 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Lynn University earn a median of $50,569 early in their careers. Set against $21,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
