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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 Alabama
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 North Alabama earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in Alabama. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Troy University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Students borrow a median of $26,439 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $46,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Alabama State University, which ranked #3. Alabama State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,248, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Typical student debt for music graduates is $33,709. Music graduates of Alabama State University earn a median of $37,721 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Jacksonville State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Music graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $32,893. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of South Alabama one of the best values for music. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $27,050. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #6 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,162. Music graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $55,413 early in their careers. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Montevallo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Montevallo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,948, with out-of-state students paying around $26,968. Typical student debt for music graduates is $25,096. Music graduates of University Of Montevallo earn a median of $36,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mobile ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the rural area of Mobile, University Of Mobile is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,910. Typical student debt for music graduates is $30,127. Early-career music graduates make about $50,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mobile admits about 78% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $25,675 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Samford University earned the #10 position for value in music this year. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,150. Music graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $64,132. That is a strong return on a $21,039 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
