Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

92 Ranked Colleges
1,349 Degrees Awarded
$41,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Music is the 40th most popular major in the country with 27,047 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, music graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $25,639 and had an average of $28,653 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,349 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 92 colleges that offer a degree in music. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality music programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the music program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Music Schools

The music school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Music (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Stanford University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 5 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Stanford has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Full Stanford University Music Report

#2

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 92 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #2 spot on the list. Duke is a fairly large school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 4 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke University are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at Duke

#3

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern Music Report

#4

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 92 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Yale University landed the #4 spot on the list. Yale is a fairly large school located in New Haven, Connecticut that handed out 13 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Yale has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500.

Read more about Music at Yale University

Out of the 92 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 32 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s music students in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#6

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s music students in 2019-2020.

UPenn also made our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at UPenn

#7

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#17 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 3 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington University in St Louis are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at WUSTL

#8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

Johns Hopkins University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 16 degrees to qualified doctorate’s music students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Johns Hopkins, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425.

Read more about Music at Johns Hopkins University

#9

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Cornell University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cornell University is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 5 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornell, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at Cornell

#10

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 9 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548.

Full UChicago Music Report

#11

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 2 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Music Report

#12

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. UF is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 1 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at University of Florida

#13

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island

Brown University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brown is a private not-for-profit institution located in Providence, Rhode Island. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363.

Full Brown University Music Report

#14

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Harvard is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Harvard University Music Report

#15

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#12 in overall quality

Rice University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Rice University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 5 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rice, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913.

Full Rice University Music Report

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523.

Read full report on Music at University of Wisconsin - Madison

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 38 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Music Report

#18

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida State University is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 28 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707.

Read more about Music at Florida State University

#19

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 67 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #11 spot in our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Music Report

#20

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s music degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also took the #18 spot in our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at Michigan State University

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 8 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Music Report

#22

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland - College Park landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Maryland - College Park is a large school located in College Park, Maryland that handed out 24 doctorate’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885.

Read full report on Music at University of Maryland - College Park

#23

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

University of North Texas ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Denton, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s music degrees to 57 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNT Music Report

#24

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #24, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at University of California - Los Angeles

#25

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California

University of California - Berkeley came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s music degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at UC Berkeley

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Featured Performing Arts Schools

Find Schools Near You