by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1375 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music students.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Mt San Antonio College, our #1 best value for music in the United States. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for music graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for music. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Music graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $14,557. Early-career music graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Santa Monica College one of the best values for music. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Pasadena City College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $9,191. Early-career music graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
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Suffolk County Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Music graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Fresno City College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for music graduates is $7,234. Early-career music graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Las Positas College earned the #8 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
St Petersburg College landed the #9 spot for music value this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College earned the #10 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Citrus College earned the #11 position for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Austin Community College District came in at #12 for value in music this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $14,519. Early-career music graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College placed #13 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #14 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Music graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris landed the #15 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District earned the #16 position for value in music this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Palomar College came in at #17 for value in music this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #18 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Music graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Music graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
South Texas College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snow College came in at #20 for value in music this year. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
St Charles Community College landed the #22 spot for music value this year. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $47,228. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Honolulu Community College landed the #23 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,174, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,868 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bakersfield College came in at #24 for value in music this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for music graduates is $9,419. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
Utah Valley University came in at #25 for value in music this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $24,952 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for music this year:
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Explore the best-value music schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 1375 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
