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2026 Best Value Brass Instruments Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in brass instruments, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Brass Instruments Schools
Rice University earned the #1 spot for value among brass instruments schools in the United States. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the brass instruments program here. Brass Instruments graduates of Rice University earn a median of $30,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value brass instruments schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for brass instruments graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, brass instruments degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in brass instruments, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Brass Instruments graduates carry a median of $20,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, brass instruments degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $15,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in brass instruments will find it at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Brass Instruments graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career brass instruments graduates make about $77,997. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
A rank of #5 makes Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music one of the best values for brass instruments. Set in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,370 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $3,850. Typical student debt for brass instruments graduates is $12,250. Brass 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. The acceptance rate is 78%.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of Kentucky placed #6 among the best values for brass instruments. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Brass Instruments graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career brass instruments graduates make about $17,040. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University landed the #7 spot for brass instruments value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the brass instruments program here. Brass Instruments graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $28,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Roosevelt University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value brass instruments schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Brass Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Early-career brass instruments graduates make about $29,974. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Hartford came in at #9 for value in brass instruments this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the brass instruments program here. Brass Instruments graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $24,511 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hartford admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Southern California placed #10 among the best values for brass instruments. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $20,976 to complete the brass instruments program here. Brass Instruments graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $12,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Ithaca College came in at #11 for value in brass instruments this year. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,616. Typical student debt for brass instruments graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, brass instruments degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $38,328. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The Juilliard School ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value brass instruments schools. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,950. Brass Instruments graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career brass instruments graduates make about $14,101. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The Juilliard School admits about 9% of applicants.
San Francisco Conservatory Of Music earned the #13 position for value in brass instruments this year. San Francisco Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $56,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for brass instruments graduates is $27,000. Brass Instruments graduates of San Francisco Conservatory Of Music earn a median of $26,916 early in their careers. San Francisco Conservatory Of Music admits about 55% of applicants.
Los Angeles Music Academy came in at #14 for value in brass instruments this year. Los Angeles Music Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $29,190. Typical student debt for brass instruments graduates is $37,296. Brass Instruments graduates of Los Angeles Music Academy earn a median of $24,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,296 median debt. Los Angeles Music Academy admits about 88% of applicants.
The New England Conservatory Of Music earned the #15 position for value in brass instruments this year. Located in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,750. Brass Instruments graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans. Soon after graduation, brass instruments degree recipients from The New England Conservatory Of Music generally make around $24,499. Set against $26,991 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
[Brass Instruments](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/brass-instruments/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
