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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Jazz Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

39 Colleges in the United States
$23,999 Avg Student Debt
$60,415 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Jazz Studies Bachelor's Degree Badge [Jazz Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/jazz-studies/) 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 85 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value jazz studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Jazz Studies Schools in the United States

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

Best Value Jazz Studies Schools

1

Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for jazz studies in the United States. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #2 place for jazz studies. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. 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 jazz studies graduates is $12,157. Jazz Studies graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

3
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for jazz studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $19,145. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

4

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. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $31,000. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $44,510. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

5

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. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $20,188. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $24,405 early in their careers. Set against $20,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

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6

University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #6 for value in jazz studies this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $47,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #7 for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #8 among the best values for jazz studies. 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 jazz studies graduates is $16,481. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

9

Millikin University came in at #9 for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $26,996. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $58,852. That is a strong return on a $26,996 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #10 for value in jazz studies this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $22,315. Set against $23,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

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11

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #11 for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $23,119 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $22,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

12

Youngstown State University landed the #12 spot for jazz studies value this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Southern Maine ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value jazz studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $47,003. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

14

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $24,456. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $31,450. Set against $24,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value jazz studies schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $22,272 early in their careers. Set against $19,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of Northern Iowa ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $19,500. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $46,054. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.

17

Columbus State University placed #17 among the best values for jazz studies. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $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 earned the #18 position for value in jazz studies this year. Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,370, with out-of-state students paying around $3,850. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music earn a median of $5,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of North Carolina At Asheville came in at #19 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. Students from in state pay about $7,501 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $22,108. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $31,821 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.

20

Wichita State University came in at #20 for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $24,262. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

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21

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #21 spot for jazz studies value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $13,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

22

Ball State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $24,518. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $47,863. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

23

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. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $25,334 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $38,417. Set against $25,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.

24

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $24,408. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $46,503. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of West Georgia came in at #25 for value in jazz studies 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, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $46,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Jazz Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in jazz studies:

26
27
28
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
37
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
38
39
40
41
42
43
Capital University crest
Capital University
Columbus, OH
44
45
46
Jacksonville University crest
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL
47
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO
48
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
49
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
50
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

Other Jazz Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best-value jazz studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Jazz Studies
Associate's Degrees in Jazz Studies
Master's Degrees in Jazz Studies
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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 · 85 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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