[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1375 schools to find the best return on investment for music students.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
For return on investment in music, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for music graduates is $11,691. Early-career music graduates make about $61,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for music. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for music graduates is $15,886. Music graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for music. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for music graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $22,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $33,384 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Music graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $16,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton landed the #6 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $20,469 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $23,969. That is a strong return on a $20,469 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College placed #7 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Music graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,902. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #8 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $20,920 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $56,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,920 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $21,509 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny City College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $19,145. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #11 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge landed the #12 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for music graduates is $15,933. Early-career music graduates make about $18,226. Set against $15,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny York College landed the #13 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $12,573. Early-career music graduates make about $49,559. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Snow College landed the #14 spot for music value this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Florida International University placed #15 among the best values for music. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $14,882 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $25,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #16 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Music graduates carry a median of $20,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $18,352. That is a strong return on a $20,550 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University earned the #17 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,992. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $19,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Utah Valley University landed the #18 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Music graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $24,952. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
California State University Sacramento placed #19 among the best values for music. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $25,391. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Murray State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Music graduates carry a median of $26,731 in student loans. Music graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $34,098 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,731 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #21 for value in music this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,567. Music graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $21,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay came in at #22 for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Music graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,770 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $24,570 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $47,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #25 for value in music this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for music graduates is $19,000. Early-career music graduates make about $32,880. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music value ranking:
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 · 1375 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 355 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).
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) 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.
