2026 Best Value Jazz Studies Schools

1

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among jazz studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $13,303. Jazz Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

2

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Students looking for strong value in jazz studies will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #2. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,902. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for jazz studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $19,145. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

4

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Students looking for strong value in jazz studies will find it at Texas A And M University Kingsville, which ranked #4. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

A rank of #5 makes University Of North Florida one of the best values for jazz studies. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,188 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $24,405. That is a strong return on a $20,188 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #6 position for value in jazz studies this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $20,115. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

7

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #7 position for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $47,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

8

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $26,996. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $58,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.

9

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #9 position for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $32,144. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

10

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value jazz studies schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $16,481. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

11

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #11 position for value in jazz studies this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $23,119 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

12

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University earned the #12 position for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $34,657. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

13

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine earned the #13 position for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,003. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas earned the #14 position for value in jazz studies this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $24,456 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $36,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #15 for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $29,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa landed the #16 spot for jazz studies value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,175. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

17

Columbus State University
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University landed the #17 spot for jazz studies value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $51,154. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

18

Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music
San Juan, PR

Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music landed the #18 spot for jazz studies value this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,370, with out-of-state students paying around $3,850. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $12,250. Jazz Studies graduates of Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music earn a median of $5,005 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music admits about 78% of applicants.

19

University Of North Carolina At Asheville
Asheville, NC

University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #19 position for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $22,108. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $31,821. Set against $22,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

20

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University landed the #20 spot for jazz studies value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $25,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

22

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University earned the #22 position for value in jazz studies this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

23

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware landed the #23 spot for jazz studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,334 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $38,417 early in their careers. Set against $25,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Arkansas At Monticello
Monticello, AR

University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #24 spot for jazz studies value this year. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,292, compared with $14,857 for out-of-state students. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $15,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Monticello generally make around $41,278. That is a strong return on a $15,611 median debt.

25

University Of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA

University Of West Georgia landed the #25 spot for jazz studies value this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $46,432 early in their careers. Set against $26,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.