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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
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music performance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked University Of Southern Maine the best value for a degree in music performance in the New England Region. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $47,003. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #2 place for music performance. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Music Performance graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $35,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Keene State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #3 spot this year. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,185. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $41,049. That is a strong return on a $26,185 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at University Of Connecticut, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $31,336. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $30,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
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Boston University earned the #6 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,957 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $30,982. Set against $26,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University earned the #7 position for value in music performance this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Yale University earn a median of $21,250 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Hartford ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $51,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bennington College landed the #9 spot for music performance value this year. Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bennington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Students borrow a median of $26,815 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $29,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The New England Conservatory Of Music earned the #10 position for value in music performance this year. The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,750. Students borrow a median of $26,991 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from The New England Conservatory Of Music generally make around $24,499. That is a strong return on a $26,991 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music performance education at a price that pays off.
