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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Music Performance Schools in New Jersey

2 Colleges in the United States
$25,775 Avg Student Debt
$61,281 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Music Performance Badge [Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 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 New Jersey

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music performance, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Music Performance Schools

1

New Jersey City University tops our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools in New Jersey. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #2. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $41,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned it the #3 place for music performance. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the music performance program here. 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. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.

4
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $32,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.

5

Rutgers University New Brunswick is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $36,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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