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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Music Performance Associate’s Degree Schools

2 Colleges in the United States
$13,159 Avg Student Debt
$41,139 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Music Performance Associate's Degree Badge [Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 509 schools to find the best return on investment for music performance students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Music Performance Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music performance degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Music Performance Schools

1
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in music performance in the United States. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Utah Valley University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $16,478. Early-career music performance graduates make about $24,952. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Onondaga Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.

5
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.

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6

Schenectady County Community College came in at #6 for value in music performance this year. Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.

7

Volunteer State Community College came in at #7 for value in music performance this year. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,756, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,462 median debt.

8

Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $10,447. Music Performance graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Grand Rapids Community College placed #9 among the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $11,780. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Set against $11,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the suburb of Duluth, Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $19,687. Early-career music performance graduates make about $16,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11
Musicians Institute crest
Musicians Institute
Hollywood, CA

Musicians Institute came in at #11 for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Hollywood, Musicians Institute is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,414. Median earnings reach $32,778 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

Other Music Performance Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Music Performance rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Music Performance
Bachelor's Degrees in Music Performance
Master's Degrees in Music Performance
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View All Music Performance Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 509 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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