2026 Best Value Music Performance Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in music performance in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $33,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $20,469 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $23,969 early in their careers. Set against $20,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

3

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $16,996. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

4

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,920 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $56,373 early in their careers. Set against $20,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $15,933 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $28,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

6

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $21,509. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

7

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College earned the #7 position for value in music performance this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno placed #8 among the best values for music performance. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

9

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College placed #9 among the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,902. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

10

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College earned the #10 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

11

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College earned the #11 position for value in music performance this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,550 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $21,916 early in their careers. Set against $20,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida placed #13 among the best values for music performance. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,567. Music Performance graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $21,957 early in their careers. Set against $20,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

14

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #14 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $25,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

15

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,992. Early-career music performance graduates make about $26,311. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

16

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University landed the #16 spot for music performance value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $24,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #17 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $24,570 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,570 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

18

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #19 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $19,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $32,880. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.

20

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #20 for value in music performance this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,015. Music Performance graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,726 early in their careers. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.

21

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #21 among the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,000. Music Performance graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $24,315 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

22

Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, NY

Onondaga Community College earned the #22 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University landed the #23 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,317. Early-career music performance graduates make about $34,766. That is a strong return on a $24,317 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

24

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #24 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $18,938. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $21,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

25

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida earned the #25 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,188 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $24,405 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.