[Other Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other music education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 143 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other music students.
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Finding the Best Value Other Music School for You
The right other music school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Other Music Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Other Music Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
Leading the list is County College Of Morris, our #1 best value for other music in the United States. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $9,420. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other music, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Other Music graduates carry a median of $15,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $28,106. Set against $15,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee Martin earned it the #3 place for other music. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the other music program here. Early-career other music graduates make about $40,400. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #4 makes Honolulu Community College one of the best values for other music. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,174, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,868 to complete the other music program here. Other Music graduates of Honolulu Community College earn a median of $59,006 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,868 median debt.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other music, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Other Music graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of California San Diego placed #6 among the best values for other music. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Other Music graduates carry a median of $18,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $21,592. Set against $18,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Western Kentucky University came in at #7 for value in other music this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $24,317. Other Music graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $34,766 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Brookdale Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value other music schools. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the other music program here. Early-career other music graduates make about $37,374. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #9 for value in other music this year. 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, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $16,481. Other Music graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #10 spot for other music value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Morehead State University landed the #11 spot for other music value this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Other Music graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $31,088. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value other music schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Other Music graduates carry a median of $22,060 in student loans. Early-career other music graduates make about $37,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #13 spot for other music value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Other Music graduates carry a median of $19,397 in student loans. Other Music graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value other music 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. Other Music graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Early-career other music graduates make about $22,625. That is a strong return on a $10,460 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #15 for value in other music this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Other Music graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico placed #16 among the best values for other music. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the other music program here. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $45,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value other music schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Other Music graduates carry a median of $26,651 in student loans. Early-career other music graduates make about $20,408. That is a strong return on a $26,651 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #18 among the best values for other music. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $20,769. Other Music graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $28,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,769 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #19 spot for other music value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Other Music graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $25,536. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Southern Maine landed the #20 spot for other music value this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete the other music program here. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,003. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Monroe came in at #21 for value in other music this year. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,190, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $22,465. Early-career other music graduates make about $47,162. Set against $22,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Hawaii landed the #22 spot for other music value this year. Set in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from Brigham Young University Hawaii generally make around $41,461. Brigham Young University Hawaii admits about 47% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value other music schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the other music program here. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value other music schools. 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. Other Music graduates carry a median of $25,334 in student loans. Early-career other music graduates make about $38,417. Set against $25,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Georgia State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value other music schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the other music program here. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $29,304. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Other Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in other music:
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 · 143 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Other Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other music education at a price that pays off.
