by our College Data Analytics Team
[Brass Instruments](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/brass-instruments/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value brass instruments schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in brass instruments, balancing cost against outcomes.
Rice University tops our 2026 list of the best value brass instruments schools in the United States. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for brass instruments graduates is $11,904. Early-career brass instruments graduates make about $30,454. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in brass instruments, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Bloomington earned it the #3 place for brass instruments. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Brass Instruments graduates carry a median of $20,769 in student loans. Brass Instruments graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $22,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,769 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in brass instruments will find it at University Of Kentucky, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for brass instruments graduates is $23,000. Brass Instruments graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $33,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in brass instruments will find it at Roosevelt University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,750 median debt. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
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Liberty University landed the #6 spot for brass instruments value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Early-career brass instruments graduates make about $39,909. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hartford landed the #7 spot for brass instruments value this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for brass instruments graduates is $27,000. Brass Instruments graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $29,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value brass instruments schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $27,510 early in their careers. Set against $20,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.
The Juilliard School placed #9 among the best values for brass instruments. Located in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit university. 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 acceptance rate is 9%.
San Francisco Conservatory Of Music came in at #10 for value in brass instruments this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,150. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the brass instruments program here. Soon after graduation, brass instruments degree recipients from San Francisco Conservatory Of Music generally make around $35,025. San Francisco Conservatory Of Music admits about 55% of applicants.
The New England Conservatory Of Music ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value brass instruments schools. Set in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,750. Brass Instruments graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans. Early-career brass instruments graduates make about $24,499. That is a strong return on a $26,991 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Longy School Of Music Of Bard College placed #12 among the best values for brass instruments. Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $55,275. Soon after graduation, brass instruments degree recipients from Longy School Of Music Of Bard College generally make around $30,660.
Manhattan School Of Music placed #13 among the best values for brass instruments. Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,050. Typical student debt for brass instruments graduates is $27,000. Brass Instruments graduates of Manhattan School Of Music earn a median of $18,441 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Brass Instruments rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.