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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 North Carolina
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 Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Music graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $24,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Western Carolina University one of the best values for music. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $26,135. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,477, with out-of-state students paying around $27,211. Students borrow a median of $23,143 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts generally make around $19,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 30% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned it the #5 place for music. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $25,858 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $38,831 early in their careers. Set against $25,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #6 position for value in music this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Students from in state pay about $7,501 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Students borrow a median of $22,108 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $31,821 early in their careers. Set against $22,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
East Carolina University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Music graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $26,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 45 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.
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
