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2026 Best Value Music Schools in District of Columbia

[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Music Schools in District of Columbia

2026 Best Value Music Schools in District of Columbia

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Music Schools

1

Catholic University Of America
Washington, DC

$58,378 In-State Tuition & Fees

$24,625 Avg Student Debt

$73,250 Median Earnings (10yr)

Catholic University Of America earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in District of Columbia. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $23,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Catholic University Of America admits about 83% of applicants.

2

Howard University
Washington, DC

$35,810 In-State Tuition & Fees

$25,498 Avg Student Debt

$63,066 Median Earnings (10yr)

Howard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,810. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $58,495. Set against $25,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.

View All Music Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.