[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music performance students.
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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.
Morehead State University tops our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools in Kentucky. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $25,000. Music Performance graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $31,088 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Western Kentucky University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,317. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $34,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $30,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
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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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
