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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Stringed Instruments Schools

20 Colleges in the United States
$22,862 Avg Student Debt
$63,399 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Stringed Instruments Badge [Stringed Instruments](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/stringed-instruments/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for stringed instruments students.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Stringed Instruments School for You

Where you study stringed instruments affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Stringed Instruments Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.

Read more about our methodology

Customize Your Rankings

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Stringed Instruments Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Stringed Instruments
Bachelor's Degrees in Stringed Instruments
Master's Degrees in Stringed Instruments
Doctorate Degrees in Stringed Instruments

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

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2026 Best Value Stringed Instruments Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in stringed instruments, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Stringed Instruments Schools

1
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

For return on investment in stringed instruments, no school beat Rice University this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Stringed Instruments 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.

2

University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in stringed instruments, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

3

Brigham Young University Provo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $10,460. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $22,625. That is a strong return on a $10,460 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #4 place for stringed instruments. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $19,397. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $29,641. Set against $19,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

5

Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in stringed instruments, landing the #5 spot this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

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Indiana University Bloomington came in at #6 for value in stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $20,769. Stringed Instruments graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $28,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,769 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

7
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University earned the #7 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Stringed Instruments graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

8

The University Of Tennessee landed the #8 spot for stringed instruments value this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $23,453 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $33,043. That is a strong return on a $23,453 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

9

Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music landed the #9 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,370 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $3,850. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $5,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #10 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Stringed Instruments graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.

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West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for stringed instruments value this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.

12

University Of Redlands came in at #12 for value in stringed instruments this year. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,878. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Stringed Instruments graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $57,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

13

Roosevelt University came in at #13 for value in stringed instruments this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $29,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

14

Stetson University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Set in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,410. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $26,548 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $15,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

15

Northwestern University landed the #15 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $18,166 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $28,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

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16
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University came in at #16 for value in stringed instruments this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $21,250. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

17
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC

Bob Jones University placed #17 among the best values for stringed instruments. Located in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $20,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $40,538. That is a strong return on a $20,497 median debt.

18
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $33,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

19

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #19 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $24,431 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $23,278. Set against $24,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.

20
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford came in at #20 for value in stringed instruments 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. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $27,000. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $26,775. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

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21

University Of Southern California came in at #21 for value in stringed instruments this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $23,244. Set against $20,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.

22

Catholic University Of America landed the #22 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,378. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $65,120. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

23

Texas Christian University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Stringed Instruments graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.

24
The Juilliard School crest
The Juilliard School
New York, NY

The Juilliard School landed the #24 spot for stringed instruments value this year. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,950. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $14,101. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

25
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #25 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $26,130. Stringed Instruments graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Stringed Instruments Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in stringed instruments:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Stringed Instruments. See all related rankings.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 38 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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