by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music schools.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in music, no school beat Honolulu Community College this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,174, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. Music graduates carry a median of $10,868 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $59,006. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Music graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Brigham Young University Hawaii one of the best values for music. Set in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Brigham Young University Hawaii generally make around $41,461. Brigham Young University Hawaii admits about 47% of applicants.
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
