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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.
Learn More
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music performance degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in music performance, no school beat Western Illinois University this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $30,000. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $32,666. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Millikin University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #2 spot this year. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,996 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,138. Set against $26,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #3 place for music performance. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $41,632. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $25,536. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
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Illinois State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,500. Early-career music performance graduates make about $35,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Roosevelt University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,750. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $29,974. That is a strong return on a $27,750 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago earned the #8 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #9 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,556 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $26,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwestern University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $18,166. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $28,057. Set against $18,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music performance education at a price that pays off.
