2026 Best Value Music Performance Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $13,303. Early-career music performance graduates make about $16,996. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College came in at #3 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $12,157. Music Performance graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,902 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

5

Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, NY

A rank of #5 makes Onondaga Community College one of the best values for music performance. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $35,781 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Schenectady County Community College
Schenectady, NY

Schenectady County Community College placed #6 among the best values for music performance. Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. In-state tuition and fees average $6,190, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.

7

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $41,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

8

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #8 position for value in music performance this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $21,614 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $52,541. That is a strong return on a $21,614 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

9

New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey City University placed #9 among the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $18,544. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware landed the #10 spot for music performance value this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $25,334 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $38,417 early in their careers. Set against $25,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

11

Community College Of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA

Community College Of Philadelphia placed #11 among the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $16,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $37,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

Suny At Fredonia earned the #12 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $35,849 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.

13

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,250. Music Performance graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

14

Suny College At Potsdam
Potsdam, NY

Suny College At Potsdam ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Music Performance graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $23,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

15

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Indiana, PA

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #15 for value in music performance this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,956 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $41,939. That is a strong return on a $27,956 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

16

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 93%.

17

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #17 among the best values for music performance. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $29,000. Music Performance graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $23,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

18

William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ

William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #18 for value in music performance this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,875. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $46,981. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

19

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #19 among the best values for music performance. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,537. Music Performance graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $34,264 early in their careers. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

20

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #20 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $37,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

21

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

22

Suny At Purchase College
Purchase, NY

Suny At Purchase College earned the #22 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,016 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $22,179 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $22,569. That is a strong return on a $22,179 median debt. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.

23

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton landed the #23 spot for music performance value this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,691. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.

24

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University earned the #24 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $32,781. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.

25

Houghton College
Houghton, NY

Houghton College earned the #25 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,430. Students borrow a median of $24,725 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $26,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.