
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 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.
Leading the list is Southeastern Louisiana University, our #1 best value for music performance in Louisiana. Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public school located in the city of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,851. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $30,745. Music Performance graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of $41,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,745 median debt. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $25,115 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $13,479 early in their careers. Set against $25,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned it the #3 place for music performance. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $22,885. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $23,529. That is a strong return on a $22,885 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned it the #4 place for music performance. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,455 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $28,530. Set against $19,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at Loyola University New Orleans, which ranked #5. Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,440. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,899 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Loyola University New Orleans generally make around $48,040. Set against $26,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.