[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 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.
Volunteer State Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools in Tennessee. Set in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,462 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. Set against $12,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $38,249. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lipscomb University earned it the #3 place for music performance. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $19,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Visible Music College earned it the #4 place for music performance. Set in the city of Memphis, Visible Music College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,000. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $25,461. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Visible Music College admits about 28% of applicants.
Belmont University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #5 spot this year. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $25,988 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $27,517 early in their careers. Set against $25,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
More Music Performance Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
