by our College Data Analytics Team
[Brass Instruments](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/brass-instruments/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong brass instruments education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for brass instruments students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the brass instruments degrees they offer, see the list below.
Ithaca College earned the #1 spot for value among brass instruments schools in New York. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,616. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the brass instruments program here. Early-career brass instruments graduates make about $38,328. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ithaca College admits about 69% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Juilliard School earned it the #2 place for brass instruments. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $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%.
Manhattan School Of Music came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value brass instruments schools. Set in the city of New York, Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,050. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the brass instruments program here. Brass Instruments graduates of Manhattan School Of Music earn a median of $18,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
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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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.