2027 Best Value Music Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 65 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Music Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Music Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in music in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $16,996 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Princeton University earned it the #2 place for music. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for music graduates is $11,091. Music graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $33,384 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for music. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $19,145 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
County College Of Morris is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. Set against $9,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. 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. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College landed the #7 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for music graduates is $12,157. Early-career music graduates make about $27,902. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Music graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #9 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #10 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, 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. Set against $21,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Onondaga Community College landed the #11 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $35,781. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montclair State University landed the #12 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $41,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Brookdale Community College came in at #13 for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for music graduates is $12,651. Music graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Mercy College earned the #14 position for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Music graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Music graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #15 position for value in music this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,128. Music graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $31,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,128 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Delaware ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Music graduates carry a median of $25,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $38,417. That is a strong return on a $25,334 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Schenectady County Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #18 spot for music value this year. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Early-career music graduates make about $35,849. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Philadelphia came in at #19 for value in music this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Towson University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. 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. Music graduates of Towson University earn a median of $19,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #21 spot for music value this year. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $23,902. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
New Jersey City University landed the #22 spot for music value this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Music graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Music graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $18,544 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #23 among the best values for music. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Music graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $23,991 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,956 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $41,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,956 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #25 spot for music value this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $41,899 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
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
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 65 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.
