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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 Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
Tidewater Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value music schools in Virginia. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Students borrow a median of $14,001 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $35,627. That is a strong return on a $14,001 median debt.
Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #3 makes George Mason University one of the best values for music. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,048. Music graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $34,841 early in their careers. Set against $24,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Radford University earned it the #4 place for music. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $39,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Norfolk State University earned it the #5 place for music. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $28,989. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
James Madison University landed the #7 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,968. Early-career music graduates make about $36,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in music this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Music graduates carry a median of $18,131 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Set against $18,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #9 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Liberty University earned the #10 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $33,956. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
