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Featured Music Performance Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music performance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among music performance schools in the United States. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $16,996. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for music performance. 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. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $11,091. Early-career music performance graduates make about $33,384. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,469 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $23,969. Set against $20,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,920. Early-career music performance graduates make about $56,373. That is a strong return on a $20,920 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for music performance. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
California State University Los Angeles placed #6 among the best values for music performance. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,509. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge earned the #7 position for value in music performance 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,933 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $18,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fresno came in at #8 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Cuny City College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Florida State University earned the #10 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,992. Music Performance graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $19,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Long Beach landed the #11 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $20,550 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $18,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #12 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $25,391. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #13 for value in music performance this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,567 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $21,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #14 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,570 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. That is a strong return on a $24,570 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Utah Valley University came in at #15 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $24,952. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $32,880. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #17 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,015. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University earned the #18 position for value in music performance this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,317 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $34,766 early in their careers. Set against $24,317 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of California San Diego placed #19 among the best values for music performance. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $18,938. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,592. Set against $18,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #20 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $15,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of North Florida placed #21 among the best values for music performance. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $20,188 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $24,405. That is a strong return on a $20,188 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #22 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Weber State University landed the #23 spot for music performance value this year. 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. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Irvine came in at #24 for value in music performance this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #25 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,541 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for music performance this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Music Performance rankings across degree levels:
[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music performance education at a price that pays off.
