2026 Best Value Conducting Schools

1

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University tops our 2026 list of the best value conducting schools in the United States. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value conducting schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the conducting program here. Conducting graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,902 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

Students looking for strong value in conducting will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Conducting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $24,315. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in conducting, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $32,144. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

5

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $20,188. Early-career conducting graduates make about $24,405. That is a strong return on a $20,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.

6

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #6 spot for conducting value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $16,481. Conducting graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

7

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo placed #7 among the best values for conducting. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $10,460 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $22,625. That is a strong return on a $10,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value conducting schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $19,397. Conducting graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $29,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa placed #9 among the best values for conducting. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $19,500. Conducting graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $32,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.

10

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #10 position for value in conducting this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Conducting graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

11

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine placed #11 among the best values for conducting. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $23,593. Conducting graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

12

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University came in at #12 for value in conducting this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $24,262. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

13

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University landed the #13 spot for conducting value this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Conducting graduates carry a median of $27,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $17,638. That is a strong return on a $27,846 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

14

Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music
San Juan, PR

Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music landed the #14 spot for conducting value this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,370, with out-of-state students paying around $3,850. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music generally make around $5,005. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music admits about 78% of applicants.

15

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University landed the #15 spot for conducting value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

16

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #16 among the best values for conducting. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Conducting graduates carry a median of $27,975 in student loans. Conducting graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Set against $27,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

17

Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University placed #17 among the best values for conducting. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $27,000. Conducting graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $39,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.

18

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Conducting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Conducting graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $27,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

19

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #19 among the best values for conducting. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Conducting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $33,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

20

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma placed #20 among the best values for conducting. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $25,548. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.

21

Boise State University
Boise, ID

Boise State University came in at #21 for value in conducting this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $24,311. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. That is a strong return on a $24,311 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

22

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value conducting schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Conducting graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $40,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

23

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for conducting. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $34,193. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

24

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $24,340. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

25

Houghton College
Houghton, NY

Houghton College came in at #25 for value in conducting this year. Set in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,430 in tuition and fees. Conducting graduates carry a median of $24,725 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Houghton College generally make around $26,934. That is a strong return on a $24,725 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.