by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1375 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music schools.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Where you study music affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Music Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Music Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Learn more about our methodology
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in music in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Music graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $61,459. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for music graduates is $15,886. Early-career music graduates make about $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $22,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Music graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $33,384. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for music. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for music graduates is $13,303. Early-career music graduates make about $16,996. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #6 for value in music this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,469. Music graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $23,969 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,469 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for music graduates is $9,384. Early-career music graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #8 among the best values for music. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #9 position for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $21,509. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Music graduates carry a median of $20,920 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $56,373. That is a strong return on a $20,920 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
El Centro College earned the #12 position for value in music this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Music graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Music graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #13 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Cuny Queens College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. 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. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Pasadena City College came in at #15 for value in music this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. 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.
Cuny City College came in at #16 for value in music this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,000. Music graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $19,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #17 for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Fresno City College placed #18 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for music graduates is $7,234. Music graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College came in at #19 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
St Petersburg College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,385. Music graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge came in at #21 for value in music this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Music graduates carry a median of $15,933 in student loans. Music graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $28,106 early in their careers. Set against $15,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Citrus College came in at #22 for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Austin Community College District placed #23 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Music graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Music graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Riverside City College placed #25 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music:
These schools also placed among the best values for music this year:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | The University Of Tennessee Martin | Martin, TN | Full Report |
| #52 | University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | Full Report |
| #53 | Lone Star College System | The Woodlands, TX | Full Report |
| #54 | Valencia College | Orlando, FL | Full Report |
| #55 | University Of South Florida Main Campus | Tampa, FL | Full Report |
| #56 | South Plains College | Levelland, TX | Full Report |
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in music:
Music is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Music, General | 7,650 |
| Music Performance, General | 5,703 |
| Music Technology | 1,616 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 801 |
| Music, Other | 705 |
| Voice and Opera | 378 |
| Stringed Instruments | 374 |
| Music Pedagogy | 351 |
| Jazz/Jazz Studies | 346 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 273 |
| Musicology and Ethnomusicology | 143 |
| Conducting | 139 |
| Music History, Literature, and Theory | 118 |
| Woodwind Instruments | 87 |
| Brass Instruments | 64 |
| Sound Arts | 43 |
| Percussion Instruments | 10 |
This list is compiled 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 · 1375 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 371 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
