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Featured Music Programs
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MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
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2026 Best Value Music Schools in New York
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
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for music in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Music graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for music. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $33,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. 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. Music graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for music. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Music graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Music graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny York College landed the #7 spot for music value this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Music graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $49,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #8 spot for music value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College placed #9 among the best values for music. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $35,781. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Schenectady County Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.
Suny At Fredonia ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $35,849. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #12 spot for music value this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $23,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Mercy College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $61,432. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #14 spot for music value this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $41,899. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Stony Brook University placed #15 among the best values for music. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,537. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $34,264. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #16 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Music graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Music graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $32,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #17 among the best values for music. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $17,406 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #18 for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton landed the #19 spot for music value this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,766. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Suny At Purchase College landed the #20 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Music graduates carry a median of $22,179 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $22,569. That is a strong return on a $22,179 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Houghton College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,430. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,725. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Houghton College generally make around $26,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Houghton College admits about 89% of applicants.
Five Towns College landed the #22 spot for music value this year. Located in the suburb of Dix Hills, Five Towns College is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,250. Music graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $25,315. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Students borrow a median of $25,211 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $61,547. Set against $25,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Long Island University C W Post Campus admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Rochester placed #24 among the best values for music. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,769. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $27,409. Set against $26,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Nazareth College earned the #25 position for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,210. Music graduates carry a median of $26,185 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $44,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Music Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music value ranking:
Notes and References
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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
