2026 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for music students.
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2026 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $52,885. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #2. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Early-career music graduates make about $35,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Early-career music graduates make about $30,429. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boston University earned it the #4 place for music. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Music graduates carry a median of $26,957 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $30,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Northeastern University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Music graduates carry a median of $26,568 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $21,978. That is a strong return on a $26,568 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The New England Conservatory Of Music came in at #6 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,991 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of The New England Conservatory Of Music earn a median of $24,499 early in their careers. Set against $26,991 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Longy School Of Music Of Bard College came in at #7 for value in music this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,275. Music graduates of Longy School Of Music Of Bard College earn a median of $30,660 early in their careers.
Berklee College Of Music placed #8 among the best values for music. Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $52,040. Music graduates carry a median of $24,979 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $21,670. Set against $24,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berklee College Of Music admits about 44% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
