by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music performance education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Bob Jones University earned the #1 spot for value among music performance schools in South Carolina. Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,892. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,497. Music Performance graduates of Bob Jones University earn a median of $40,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes University Of South Carolina Columbia one of the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $38,397. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Furman University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,770. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,830. Early-career music performance graduates make about $36,520. Set against $20,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Furman University admits about 43% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.