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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Music Performance Schools in the Far Western Region

26 Colleges in the United States
$20,972 Avg Student Debt
$64,347 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Music Performance Badge [Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 55 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 Far Western Region

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

California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,469 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $23,969. That is a strong return on a $20,469 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Music Performance graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $21,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #3 place for music performance. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #4 place for music performance. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,933 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $28,106 early in their careers. Set against $15,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

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6

California State University Long Beach ranked #6 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $21,916. That is a strong return on a $20,550 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

7

California State University Sacramento came in at #7 for value in music performance 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $25,391. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

8

University Of California Irvine placed #8 among the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of California San Diego landed the #9 spot for music performance value this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $18,938 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,592. That is a strong return on a $18,938 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

10

San Jose State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

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11

San Francisco State University landed the #11 spot for music performance value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $31,621. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

12

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #12 for value in music performance this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

13

Eastern Washington University placed #13 among the best values for music performance. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

14

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #14 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $23,119 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,823 early in their careers. Set against $23,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

15

Portland State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $27,846 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $17,638. Set against $27,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Washington State University landed the #16 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $24,503 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

17

Brigham Young University Hawaii earned the #17 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630. Early-career music performance graduates make about $41,461. Brigham Young University Hawaii admits about 47% of applicants.

18

Central Washington University came in at #18 for value in music performance this year. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. 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 music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $44,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Nevada Reno came in at #19 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $50,691. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.

20

San Diego State University landed the #20 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $15,131 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $20,440. That is a strong return on a $15,131 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.

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21

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #21 among the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $18,559. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. That is a strong return on a $18,559 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

22

Southern Oregon University landed the #22 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,951 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $41,038. Set against $24,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

23

Western Washington University earned the #23 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,055 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $15,834. That is a strong return on a $20,055 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

24

Oregon State University landed the #24 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Students borrow a median of $19,184 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $29,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.

25

University Of Oregon placed #25 among the best values for music performance. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,583. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $20,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Music Performance Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music performance:

26
27
28
29
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
30
31
32
Musicians Institute crest
Musicians Institute
Hollywood, CA
33
34

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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 · 55 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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