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

10 Colleges in the United States
$23,767 Avg Student Debt
$58,558 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Music Performance Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music performance schools.

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2026 Best Value Music Performance Schools in Texas

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

Best Value Music Performance Schools

1
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in music performance in Texas. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,920 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $56,373 early in their careers. Set against $20,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #3 place for music performance. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,570. Early-career music performance graduates make about $49,955. That is a strong return on a $24,570 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #4 place for music performance. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 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 University Of Houston generally make around $52,799. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Commerce earned it the #5 place for music performance. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,101. Music Performance graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $52,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,101 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.

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6
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College came in at #6 for value in music performance this year. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

University Of North Texas ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,456. Early-career music performance graduates make about $36,763. Set against $24,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

8

The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #8 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,911. Early-career music performance graduates make about $37,020. Set against $24,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

9

Sam Houston State University placed #9 among the best values for music performance. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $46,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #10 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $39,318 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,241 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

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11

The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,000. Early-career music performance graduates make about $33,937. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

12

Texas Tech University earned the #12 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,816 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $39,571. Set against $27,816 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

13
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University placed #13 among the best values for music performance. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $50,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.

14

Texas Christian University landed the #14 spot for music performance value this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.

15

Southern Methodist University placed #15 among the best values for music performance. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $18,417. Music Performance graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $26,308 early in their careers. Set against $18,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Baylor University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $10,210. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 29 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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