[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 9 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 University Of North Georgia this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valdosta State University earned it the #2 place for music performance. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,914 early in their careers. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. 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. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State University earned it the #4 place for music performance. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $51,154. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $23,400 to complete the music performance program here. 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. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University landed the #6 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Georgia State University came in at #7 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $29,304. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Mercer University earned the #8 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,565. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $32,463 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $56,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media came in at #9 for value in music performance this year. Set in the suburb of Duluth, Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $16,507. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media generally make around $20,098. That is a strong return on a $16,507 median debt.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
