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

4 Colleges in the United States
$26,585 Avg Student Debt
$55,736 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music performance education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 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 Massachusetts

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

Best Value Music Performance Schools

1

For return on investment in music performance, no school beat University Of Massachusetts Lowell this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $35,311. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $30,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

3
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

A rank of #3 makes Boston University one of the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,957 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $30,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

4

The New England Conservatory Of Music is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes Longy School Of Music Of Bard College one of the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Cambridge, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,275. Early-career music performance graduates make about $30,660.

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6

Berklee College Of Music landed the #6 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,040 in tuition and fees. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,979 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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