by our College Data Analytics Team
[Keyboard Instruments](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/keyboard-instruments/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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.
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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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Keyboard Instruments graduates of Rice University earn a median of $30,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in keyboard instruments, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #3 place for keyboard instruments. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Keyboard Instruments graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $24,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in keyboard instruments will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for keyboard instruments. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $19,397. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $22,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Northern Iowa came in at #6 for value in keyboard instruments 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. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $22,625. That is a strong return on a $10,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Central Washington University placed #8 among the best values for keyboard instruments. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $44,178. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #9 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $20,769. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $15,911. That is a strong return on a $20,769 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Wichita State University landed the #10 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Keyboard Instruments graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Hawaii earned the #11 position for value in keyboard instruments this year. Located in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from Brigham Young University Hawaii generally make around $41,461. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware came in at #12 for value in keyboard instruments this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $25,334. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Set against $25,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music earned the #13 position for value in keyboard instruments this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,370, compared with $3,850 for out-of-state students. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music generally make around $5,005. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Portland State University earned the #14 position for value in keyboard instruments this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $27,846 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $47,717. Set against $27,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University landed the #15 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #16 for value in keyboard instruments this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $23,453 in student loans. Keyboard Instruments graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,453 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Central Michigan University placed #17 among the best values for keyboard instruments. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,975 in student loans. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $24,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas Tech University placed #18 among the best values for keyboard instruments. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $27,816. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $49,906. That is a strong return on a $27,816 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #19 for value in keyboard instruments this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $27,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Houston Baptist University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value keyboard instruments schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,430. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $57,088. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #21 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $23,125. Keyboard Instruments graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for keyboard instruments. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University earned the #23 position for value in keyboard instruments this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Keyboard Instruments graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $38,656 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #24 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. 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. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $20,583 in student loans. Keyboard Instruments graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $20,707 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,583 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s keyboard instruments value ranking:
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Explore the best-value keyboard instruments schools at other degree levels:
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 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
