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MBA in Music Business
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2026 Best Value Music Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. Typical student debt for music graduates is $11,691. Early-career music graduates make about $61,459. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $33,384. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for music. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $19,145. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College placed #6 among the best values for music. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. 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.
County College Of Morris landed the #7 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Typical student debt for music graduates is $9,420. Music graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.
Cuny York College landed the #8 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $49,559. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $8,794. Music graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Community College came in at #10 for value in music this year. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montclair State University landed the #11 spot for music value this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Music graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $41,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #12 spot for music value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $21,614 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $52,541. That is a strong return on a $21,614 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Brookdale Community College earned the #13 position for value in music this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Music graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schenectady County Community College came in at #14 for value in music this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,190 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.
New Jersey City University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Music graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $18,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Salisbury University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,545. Music graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $45,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University came in at #17 for value in music this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Students borrow a median of $19,102 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $19,618. That is a strong return on a $19,102 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Delaware earned the #18 position for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for music graduates is $25,334. Music graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $38,417 early in their careers. Set against $25,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia earned the #19 position for value in music this year. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $35,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #20 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Music graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Music graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Philadelphia came in at #21 for value in music this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,059 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,059 median debt.
Suny College At Potsdam ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $23,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in music this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,956. Early-career music graduates make about $41,939. Set against $27,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #24 spot for music value this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College earned the #25 position for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,750. Early-career music graduates make about $61,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music value ranking:
Narrow Music Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 181 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 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.
[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.
