DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 50.09), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in Music Business" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MBA in Music Business" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 0 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No ESYOH offers, checking direct offers
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Music 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
2026 Best Value Music Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for music in the United States. 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. Music graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $22,559. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. 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. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $20,469 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $23,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #4. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Music graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Music graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $16,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Northridge came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,933 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $37,985 early in their careers. Set against $15,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
California State University Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 Queens College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. 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, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $12,157. Early-career music graduates make about $27,902. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #8 among the best values for music. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $20,920 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $56,373. That is a strong return on a $20,920 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #9 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $14,882 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $29,478. That is a strong return on a $14,882 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University earned the #10 position for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Music graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Music graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida placed #11 among the best values for music. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $20,567 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $21,957 early in their careers. Set against $20,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach earned the #12 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,550. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $25,480. That is a strong return on a $20,550 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #13 for value in music this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Music graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. 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.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #14 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Music graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $29,507. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Florida State University landed the #15 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $23,992 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $26,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for music graduates is $21,829. Music graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Utah came in at #17 for value in music this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $16,500. Music graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $42,548 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #18 among the best values for music. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $14,612 in student loans. Music graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $56,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Southern Utah University landed the #19 spot for music value this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $12,886. Early-career music graduates make about $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $38,029. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Rice University landed the #21 spot for music value this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Rice University earn a median of $30,454 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #22 spot for music value this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,089. Music graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,932 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for music graduates is $22,608. Early-career music graduates make about $27,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #24 spot for music value this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,570. 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. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston placed #25 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,000. Early-career music graduates make about $52,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music:
Other Music Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Music rankings across degree levels:
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
