[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 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.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az tops our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools in Arizona. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa Community College earned it the #2 place for music performance. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $13,750. Early-career music performance graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $21,504 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $26,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for music performance. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $14,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $30,157. That is a strong return on a $14,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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 · 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.
