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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Conducting Schools in New York

6 Colleges in the United States
$24,098 Avg Student Debt
$56,106 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Conducting Badge [Conducting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/conducting/) 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 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value conducting schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Conducting Schools in New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in conducting, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Conducting Schools

1

Leading the list is Cuny Queens College, our #1 best value for conducting in New York. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,902. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

2
Houghton College crest
Houghton College
Houghton, NY

Houghton College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value conducting schools. Located in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,430. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $24,725. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Houghton College generally make around $26,934. Set against $24,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Rochester is a great value for students pursuing a degree in conducting, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Students borrow a median of $26,769 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $27,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.

4
Ithaca College crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in conducting, landing the #4 spot this year. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $52,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $38,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

5
The Juilliard School crest
The Juilliard School
New York, NY

The Juilliard School is a great value for students pursuing a degree in conducting, landing the #5 spot this year. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,950. Conducting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Conducting graduates of The Juilliard School earn a median of $14,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

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Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #6 among the best values for conducting. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $26,130. Conducting graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $18,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.

7

Manhattan School Of Music landed the #7 spot for conducting value this year. 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. Conducting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Conducting graduates of Manhattan School Of Music earn a median of $18,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 41%.

8
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School came in at #8 for value in conducting this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Conducting graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Conducting graduates of The New School earn a median of $15,510 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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