[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 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music performance students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music performance, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in music performance, no school beat Old Dominion University this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,000. Music Performance graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #2. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,048 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $34,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia State University earned it the #3 place for music performance. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,043, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $29,010 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $40,620 early in their careers. Set against $29,010 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes James Madison University one of the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $20,968 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $36,106 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,968 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Music Performance graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $28,989 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Liberty University placed #6 among the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $33,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Shenandoah University landed the #7 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,950. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $62,948. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
More Music Performance Rankings
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
