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Featured Music Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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 Hampshire
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 Keene State College, our #1 best value for music in New Hampshire. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $26,185 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $41,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned it the #2 place for music. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $30,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Dartmouth College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Music graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Music graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,989 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
