by our College Data Analytics Team
[Keyboard Instruments](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/keyboard-instruments/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong keyboard instruments education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 105 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for keyboard instruments students.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
The keyboard instruments program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Keyboard Instruments Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Keyboard Instruments Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in keyboard instruments, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in keyboard instruments, no school beat Rice University this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $11,904. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $30,454. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Utah Valley University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value keyboard instruments schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $24,952. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value keyboard instruments schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $16,481. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Weber State University one of the best values for keyboard instruments. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value keyboard instruments schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $10,460. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $22,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
1
2
3
4
5
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #6 position for value in keyboard instruments this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Keyboard Instruments graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $29,641 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Central Washington University placed #7 among the best values for keyboard instruments. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $26,000. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $44,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #8 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Keyboard Instruments graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $32,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #9 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,769 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $28,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Hawaii placed #10 among the best values for keyboard instruments. Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Laie. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees. Keyboard Instruments graduates of Brigham Young University Hawaii earn a median of $41,461 early in their careers. Brigham Young University Hawaii admits about 47% of applicants.
Wichita State University landed the #11 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $24,262. Keyboard Instruments graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Delaware earned the #12 position for value in keyboard instruments this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $25,334 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $54,155. Set against $25,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music placed #13 among the best values for keyboard instruments. Set in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,370, compared with $3,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Keyboard Instruments 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.
Portland State University landed the #14 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,846 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Set against $27,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University earned the #15 position for value in keyboard instruments this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $21,500. Keyboard Instruments graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value keyboard instruments schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $23,453 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Central Michigan University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value keyboard instruments schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,975 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Keyboard Instruments graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $24,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,975 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #18 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Keyboard Instruments graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Baptist University placed #19 among the best values for keyboard instruments. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Students borrow a median of $25,601 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $57,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #20 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,816 in student loans. Keyboard Instruments graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $39,571 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,816 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #22 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #23 for value in keyboard instruments this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $40,570. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #24 position for value in keyboard instruments this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon placed #25 among the best values for keyboard instruments. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $20,583. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $20,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for keyboard instruments this year:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Keyboard Instruments is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
This ranking is produced 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 · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
