by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 55 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Music graduates carry a median of $27,956 in student loans. Music graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $41,939 early in their careers. Set against $27,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #3 place for music. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $37,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Philadelphia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #4 spot this year. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Music graduates carry a median of $16,059 in student loans. 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.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #5 spot this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $26,895. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for music value this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $17,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Lancaster Bible College earned the #8 position for value in music this year. Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,990. Typical student debt for music graduates is $28,507. Early-career music graduates make about $35,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lancaster Bible College admits about 56% of applicants.
Messiah College landed the #9 spot for music value this year. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Music graduates carry a median of $25,965 in student loans. Music graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $66,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Lebanon Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,080. Students borrow a median of $26,846 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Lebanon Valley College generally make around $49,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Temple University landed the #11 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $20,667. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary landed the #12 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,500. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $48,472. That is a strong return on a $26,857 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne placed #13 among the best values for music. Located in the suburb of Langhorne, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,659 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music graduates is $28,212. Music graduates of Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne earn a median of $40,120 early in their careers. Set against $28,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne admits about 88% of applicants.
Muhlenberg College placed #14 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,805. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $35,641. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Music graduates carry a median of $24,431 in student loans. Music graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $23,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,431 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University landed the #17 spot for music value this year. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $27,854 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
