by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 141 schools to find the best return on investment for music students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in music in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
South Texas College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for music. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Tarrant County College District came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $15,148. Early-career music graduates make about $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
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San Jacinto Community College earned the #6 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Music graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College landed the #7 spot for music value this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Temple College landed the #8 spot for music value this year. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Temple College earn a median of $55,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for music. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Music graduates carry a median of $19,277 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $49,087. That is a strong return on a $19,277 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Music graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University placed #11 among the best values for music. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Music graduates carry a median of $25,810 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $41,210. Set against $25,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #12 spot for music value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Music graduates carry a median of $14,612 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $56,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #13 spot for music value this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $56,072. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #14 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $24,570 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $47,010. That is a strong return on a $24,570 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Tyler Junior College earned the #15 position for value in music this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #16 spot for music value this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Music graduates carry a median of $27,101 in student loans. Music graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $52,282 early in their careers. Set against $27,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Lamar University earned the #17 position for value in music this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $26,407 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $42,328. That is a strong return on a $26,407 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rice University placed #18 among the best values for music. 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. Music graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $30,454. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Midwestern State University came in at #19 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Music graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,638. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston came in at #20 for value in music this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,000. Music graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $52,799 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #21 for value in music this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
Arizona State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $21,504. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $26,653. That is a strong return on a $21,504 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $24,456 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $36,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #24 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Music graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $37,104. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University landed the #25 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
These schools also delivered strong value for music this year:
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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 · 141 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
