2026 Best Value Music Schools in the New England Region

1

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

For return on investment in music, no school beat University Of Southern Maine this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Music graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.

2

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $52,885. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

Students looking for strong value in music will find it at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #3. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $35,311 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

4

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Music graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

5

Keene State College
Keene, NH

Keene State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,185 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $41,049 early in their careers. Set against $26,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.

6

University Of Maine At Augusta
Augusta, ME

University Of Maine At Augusta earned the #6 position for value in music this year. Set in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,313 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $45,574. Set against $29,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont landed the #7 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $44,588 early in their careers. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

8

Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, CT

Eastern Connecticut State University earned the #8 position for value in music this year. Set in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,928, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,990. Early-career music graduates make about $39,573. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

9

Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, CT

Western Connecticut State University placed #9 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,401, compared with $16,901 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,025. Early-career music graduates make about $21,659. Set against $26,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

10

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut placed #10 among the best values for music. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Music graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $31,336 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Durham, NH

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #11 spot for music value this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Music graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $30,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

12

Vermont Technical College
Randolph, VT

Vermont Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,952 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,296. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of $27,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

13

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT

Southern Connecticut State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Music graduates carry a median of $24,660 in student loans. Music graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,660 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #14 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $30,429. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.

15

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Music graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $62,820. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.

16

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $26,957 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $30,982. That is a strong return on a $26,957 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

17

Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College placed #17 among the best values for music. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $81,992. Set against $16,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

18

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #18 among the best values for music. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music graduates is $14,357. Early-career music graduates make about $21,250. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

19

University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford came in at #19 for value in music this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $26,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

20

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University landed the #20 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,568. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $21,978. Set against $26,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

21

Bennington College
Bennington, VT

Bennington College earned the #21 position for value in music this year. Set in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,262. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,815. Music graduates of Bennington College earn a median of $29,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,815 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.

22

University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven placed #22 among the best values for music. Set in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,332 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Music graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of $22,171 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of New Haven admits about 60% of applicants.

23

The New England Conservatory Of Music
Boston, MA

The New England Conservatory Of Music ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,750. Students borrow a median of $26,991 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of The New England Conservatory Of Music earn a median of $24,499 early in their careers. Set against $26,991 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.

24

Longy School Of Music Of Bard College
Cambridge, MA

Longy School Of Music Of Bard College placed #24 among the best values for music. Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,275. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Longy School Of Music Of Bard College generally make around $30,660.

25

Berklee College Of Music
Boston, MA

Berklee College Of Music placed #25 among the best values for music. Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,040. Students borrow a median of $24,979 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Berklee College Of Music generally make around $21,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.