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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 Arizona
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
Our analysis ranked Chandler Gilbert Community College the best value for a degree in music in Arizona. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for music graduates is $10,447. Music graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for music. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,504 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $26,653 early in their careers. Set against $21,504 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for music. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for music graduates is $21,645. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for music graduates is $14,800. Early-career music graduates make about $30,157. That is a strong return on a $14,800 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
