[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 416 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music schools.
The music program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Music Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Music Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in music, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for music graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $22,559. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $16,996. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Princeton University one of the best values for music. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music graduates is $10,888. Early-career music graduates make about $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for music. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #5. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $20,920 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $56,373. Set against $20,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $33,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Miami Dade College placed #7 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles placed #8 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $12,500. Music graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $21,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Monica College earned the #9 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
California State University Northridge came in at #10 for value in music this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $15,933. Early-career music graduates make about $28,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #11 for value in music this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for music graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $27,724. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
West Valley College earned the #12 position for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for music graduates is $14,308. Early-career music graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Cuny City College earned the #13 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,000. Early-career music graduates make about $19,145. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for music graduates is $9,602. Music graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District placed #15 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $14,519. Music graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College placed #16 among the best values for music. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University landed the #17 spot for music value this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for music graduates is $15,095. Early-career music graduates make about $20,788. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
California State University Fullerton placed #18 among the best values for music. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,469. Early-career music graduates make about $23,969. Set against $20,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Pasadena City College came in at #19 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for music graduates is $9,191. Music graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College landed the #20 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,250. Early-career music graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #21 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Cuny Queens College earned the #22 position for value in music this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,902. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Music graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #24 spot for music value this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #25 for value in music this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $8,794. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music:
The ranking above is published 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 · 416 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 416 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).
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
