ADVERTISEMENTS
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.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Music Schools in the Southeast Region
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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $22,559. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Miami Dade College one of the best values for music. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for music graduates is $11,967. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,882 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $27,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at St Petersburg College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,385. Early-career music graduates make about $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,731. Early-career music graduates make about $34,098. That is a strong return on a $26,731 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #6 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,567. Music graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $21,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,567 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #7 for value in music this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,770 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Daytona State College placed #8 among the best values for music. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $14,227. Early-career music graduates make about $43,320. Set against $14,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State University placed #9 among the best values for music. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,992. Music graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $26,311 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #10 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #11 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $32,880. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Valencia College placed #12 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Students borrow a median of $10,575 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $22,985. That is a strong return on a $10,575 median debt.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #13 position for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,015. Music graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #14 spot for music value this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Music graduates carry a median of $20,379 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $30,106. That is a strong return on a $20,379 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #15 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Music graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $24,315 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Tidewater Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Music graduates carry a median of $14,001 in student loans. Music graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $35,627 early in their careers. Set against $14,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Kentucky University landed the #17 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,317 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $34,766 early in their careers. Set against $24,317 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Florida earned the #18 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,188 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $24,405 early in their careers. Set against $20,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Morehead State University landed the #19 spot for music value this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Typical student debt for music graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $31,088. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #20 spot for music value this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Music graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $38,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Music graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $27,586. Set against $22,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Mcneese State University earned the #22 position for value in music this year. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $36,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama came in at #23 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $35,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
Western Carolina University came in at #24 for value in music this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $26,135. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #25 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,324. Early-career music graduates make about $50,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for music this year:
Narrow Music Schools by State
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 · 327 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 92 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
