by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music Management](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/arts-media-management/music-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music management schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music management degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in music management, no school beat Ferris State University this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $26,040 to complete the music management program here. Early-career music management graduates make about $27,565. Set against $26,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for music management. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the music management program here. Music Management graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music management, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Music Management graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Music Management graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $23,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music management schools. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,832. Music Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Management graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $29,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Depaul University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music management, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the music management program here. Music Management graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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Butler University earned the #6 position for value in music management this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,560. Music Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music management degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $34,911. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.