[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music performance students.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
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.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point tops our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools in Wisconsin. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,256 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $31,552. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Lawrence University one of the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Appleton, Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,982. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $19,000. Median earnings reach $55,789 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Carthage College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,750. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Carthage College generally make around $24,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
More Music Performance Rankings
View All Music Performance Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
