2027 Best Value Stringed Instruments Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Stringed Instruments](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/stringed-instruments/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong stringed instruments education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for stringed instruments students.
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2027 Best Value Stringed Instruments Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in stringed instruments, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Stringed Instruments Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in stringed instruments in the United States. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $19,397 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $22,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Rice University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Stringed Instruments graduates of Rice University earn a median of $30,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Stringed Instruments graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in stringed instruments will find it at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #4. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for stringed instruments. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Stringed Instruments graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $22,625. Set against $10,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in stringed instruments this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,062 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #8 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $20,769. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $15,911. That is a strong return on a $20,769 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music landed the #9 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,370, while out-of-state students pay about $3,850. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Stringed Instruments graduates of Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music earn a median of $5,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,453 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $31,888. Set against $23,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for value in stringed instruments this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Stetson University placed #13 among the best values for stringed instruments. Set in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,410. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $26,548 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $15,905. Set against $26,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stetson University admits about 72% of applicants.
Northwestern University earned the #14 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $18,166. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $34,823. That is a strong return on a $18,166 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University came in at #15 for value in stringed instruments this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $27,750. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $29,974. That is a strong return on a $27,750 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Bob Jones University landed the #16 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,892. Students borrow a median of $20,497 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $40,538. Set against $20,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Liberty University landed the #17 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $28,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Catholic University Of America placed #18 among the best values for stringed instruments. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Stringed Instruments graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $65,120 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Redlands came in at #19 for value in stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,878. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $57,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Redlands admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Hartford placed #20 among the best values for stringed instruments. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,075. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Stringed Instruments graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $24,511 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #21 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $24,431 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $23,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Southern California ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $20,976 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $12,947. That is a strong return on a $20,976 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University earned the #23 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $23,500. Stringed Instruments graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Syracuse University placed #24 among the best values for stringed instruments. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $26,130. Stringed Instruments graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
San Francisco Conservatory Of Music earned the #25 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,150 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $26,916. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Stringed Instruments Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in stringed instruments:
Other Stringed Instruments Degree Levels
Explore the best-value stringed instruments schools at other degree levels:
View All Stringed Instruments Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
