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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Conducting Master’s Degree Schools

36 Colleges in the United States
$23,127 Avg Student Debt
$65,282 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Conducting Master's Degree Badge [Conducting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/conducting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong conducting education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 72 schools to find the best return on investment for conducting students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Conducting Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the conducting degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Conducting Schools

1

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro tops our 2026 list of the best value conducting schools in the United States. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $29,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

2
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

A rank of #2 makes Rice University one of the best values for conducting. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Conducting graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #3 place for conducting. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the conducting program here. Conducting graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,932 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

4

Cuny Queens College came in at #4 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. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Conducting graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Conducting graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

5

University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in conducting, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Conducting graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. 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. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #6 spot for conducting value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $10,460. Early-career conducting graduates make about $22,625. Set against $10,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for value in conducting this year. 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. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $16,971. Set against $19,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Northern Iowa placed #8 among the best values for conducting. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $19,500. Early-career conducting graduates make about $32,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.

9

Johns Hopkins University placed #9 among the best values for conducting. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Conducting graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career conducting graduates make about $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

10

Wichita State University placed #10 among the best values for conducting. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Conducting graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career conducting graduates make about $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

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11

Western Michigan University placed #11 among the best values for conducting. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. 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. Early-career conducting graduates make about $29,946. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

12

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #12 among the best values for conducting. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $26,000. Early-career conducting graduates make about $27,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

13
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $42,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

14

University Of Central Oklahoma placed #14 among the best values for conducting. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. 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 $31,933. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

15

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in conducting this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. 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 $32,134. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

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16

Kent State University At Kent landed the #16 spot for conducting value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Conducting graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $24,340. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

17

University Of Oregon came in at #17 for value in conducting this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $20,583. Early-career conducting graduates make about $20,707. Set against $20,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

18
Oklahoma City University crest
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City University came in at #18 for value in conducting this year. Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oklahoma City. In-state tuition and fees average $34,754. Students borrow a median of $26,456 to complete the conducting program here. Conducting graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of $25,621 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

19

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #19 spot for conducting value this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $30,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

20

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for conducting. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $23,946. Early-career conducting graduates make about $25,713. That is a strong return on a $23,946 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

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21

University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #21 position for value in conducting this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $54,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

22
Rider University crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University landed the #22 spot for conducting value this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Conducting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $33,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

23
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #23 position for value in conducting this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Conducting graduates carry a median of $26,957 in student loans. Conducting graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.

24

Northwestern University earned the #24 position for value in conducting this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Conducting graduates carry a median of $18,166 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $21,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

25
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #25 among the best values for conducting. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $21,250. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Conducting Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for conducting this year:

26
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
27
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT
28
29
30
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
31
32
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
33
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN
34
The Juilliard School crest
The Juilliard School
New York, NY
35
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

Other Conducting Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Conducting rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Conducting
Associate's Degrees in Conducting
Bachelor's Degrees in Conducting
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View All Conducting Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 72 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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