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Featured Conducting Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
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2026 Best Value Conducting Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Johns Hopkins University earned the #1 spot for value among conducting schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in conducting, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Houghton College one of the best values for conducting. Located in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,430. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in conducting will find it at Rider University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Conducting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Conducting graduates of Rider University earn a median of $26,943 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Temple University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value conducting schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the conducting program here. Conducting graduates of Temple University earn a median of $20,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of Rochester placed #6 among the best values for conducting. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $26,769. Conducting graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $27,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #7 for value in conducting this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Conducting graduates carry a median of $24,431 in student loans. Early-career conducting graduates make about $89,327. That is a strong return on a $24,431 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in conducting this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Catholic University Of America earned the #9 position for value in conducting this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,378. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $24,625. Conducting graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $23,856 early in their careers. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Ithaca College earned the #10 position for value in conducting this year. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,616. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the conducting program here. Conducting graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $38,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
[Conducting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/conducting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
