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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 California State University Northridge this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $15,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $37,985. Set against $15,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #3 place for music performance. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,469. Music Performance graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $23,969 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $16,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. 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. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $56,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
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. 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%.
Cuny Queens College earned the #7 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #8 spot for music performance value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $20,567 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,957. That is a strong return on a $20,567 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #9 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,550. Early-career music performance graduates make about $25,480. Set against $20,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #10 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $29,507. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #11 for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $25,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida State University landed the #12 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,992. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $26,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $21,829. Early-career music performance graduates make about $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Southern Utah University placed #14 among the best values for music performance. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #15 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,089. Early-career music performance graduates make about $32,932. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University earned the #21 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career music performance graduates make about $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #22 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #23 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $21,504 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $28,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts placed #24 among the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,477, compared with $27,211 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,143. Music Performance graduates of University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn a median of $19,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 30%.
New Jersey City University came in at #25 for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $22,500. Music Performance graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $18,544 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music performance value ranking:
Explore the best-value music performance schools at other degree levels:
[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.
