[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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music performance schools.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
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
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music performance degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #1 spot for value among music performance schools in Oklahoma. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $21,639. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $17,665. Set against $21,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Oklahoma earned it the #2 place for music performance. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,125. Music Performance graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $25,548 early in their careers. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at Oklahoma City University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,754. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,456 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $22,203. That is a strong return on a $26,456 median debt. Oklahoma City University admits about 77% of applicants.
Oral Roberts University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #4 spot this year. Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $28,022 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $19,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
More Music Performance Rankings
View All Music Performance Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
