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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Jazz Studies Schools in California

3 Colleges in the United States
$23,555 Avg Student Debt
$72,069 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Jazz Studies 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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for jazz studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Jazz Studies Schools in California

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 University Of California Los Angeles, our #1 best value for jazz studies in California. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,823 early in their careers. Set against $23,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $20,976. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $23,244 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,976 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Francisco Conservatory Of Music earned it the #3 place for jazz studies. San Francisco Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $56,150. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $32,882. The acceptance rate is 55%.

4

California Institute Of The Arts is a great value for students pursuing a degree in jazz studies, landing the #4 spot this year. California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. Students from in state pay about $58,996 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from California Institute Of The Arts generally make around $18,373. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. California Institute Of The Arts admits about 32% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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