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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for music students.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is County College Of Morris, our #1 best value for music in New Jersey. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Typical student debt for music graduates is $9,420. Early-career music graduates make about $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.
Brookdale Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Montclair State University one of the best values for music. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $41,164. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Jersey City University earned it the #4 place for music. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $18,544. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned it the #5 place for music. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Music graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $26,621. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #6 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Music graduates carry a median of $23,541 in student loans. Music graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $23,127 early in their careers. Set against $23,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University earned the #7 position for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Music graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $32,781. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #8 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $36,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Rider University placed #9 among the best values for music. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $26,943. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey earned the #10 position for value in music this year. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,429. Music graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $56,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Monmouth University earned the #11 position for value in music this year. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,552. Music graduates carry a median of $26,411 in student loans. Music graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $24,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,411 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Stevens Institute Of Technology came in at #12 for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,462. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Stevens Institute Of Technology earn a median of $21,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
