by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music performance students.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music performance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania the best value for a degree in music performance in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,956 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $41,939. Set against $27,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Music Performance graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $37,660 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Philadelphia earned it the #4 place for music performance. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Students borrow a median of $16,059 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $37,988. Set against $16,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #5 place for music performance. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
1
2
3
4
5
Lancaster Bible College landed the #6 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,990. Students borrow a median of $28,507 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Lancaster Bible College generally make around $35,130. Set against $28,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Messiah College placed #7 among the best values for music performance. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $25,965 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $66,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Lebanon Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,080. Students borrow a median of $26,846 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $49,383. Set against $26,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lebanon Valley College admits about 84% of applicants.
Temple University landed the #9 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $20,667. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne placed #10 among the best values for music performance. Set in the suburb of Langhorne, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,659. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $28,212 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne generally make around $40,120. That is a strong return on a $28,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #11 for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,431. Music Performance graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $23,278 early in their careers. Set against $24,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in music performance this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University placed #13 among the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $27,854 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
