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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Stringed Instruments Bachelor’s Degree Schools

19 Colleges in the United States
$23,156 Avg Student Debt
$62,700 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Stringed Instruments Bachelor's Degree Badge [Stringed Instruments](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/stringed-instruments/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong stringed instruments education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 38 schools to find the best return on investment for stringed instruments students.

What’s on this page:

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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

Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 best value for stringed instruments in the United States. 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. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $30,454. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in stringed instruments, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

3

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in stringed instruments, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $22,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

4

Brigham Young University Provo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in stringed instruments, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $10,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.

5

Wichita State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Stringed Instruments graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

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6

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #6 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $20,769 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $15,911. 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 placed #7 among the best values for stringed instruments. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $77,997. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

8

The University Of Tennessee came in at #8 for value in stringed instruments this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $23,453 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Stringed Instruments graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $31,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.

9

Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music placed #9 among the best values for stringed instruments. Set in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,370, compared with $3,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music generally make around $5,005. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

10

University Of Central Oklahoma placed #10 among the best values for stringed instruments. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

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11

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Redlands earned the #12 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $60,878. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $57,218. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

13

Northwestern University earned the #13 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $18,166 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $34,823. Set against $18,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

14

Stetson University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Located in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,410. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $26,548. Stringed Instruments graduates of Stetson University earn a median of $15,905 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

15

Roosevelt University placed #15 among the best values for stringed instruments. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $27,750. Stringed Instruments graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $29,974 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

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16
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC

Bob Jones University came in at #16 for value in stringed instruments this year. Located in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,892. Students borrow a median of $20,497 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $40,538. Set against $20,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Stringed Instruments graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $28,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

18

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #18 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $24,431. Stringed Instruments graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $23,278 early in their careers. Set against $24,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

19
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford landed the #19 spot for stringed instruments value this year. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,075. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $24,511. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

20

University Of Southern California came in at #20 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. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,976 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $12,947. That is a strong return on a $20,976 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

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21

Catholic University Of America earned the #21 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Catholic University Of America admits about 83% of applicants.

22

Texas Christian University landed the #22 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.

23
The Juilliard School crest
The Juilliard School
New York, NY

The Juilliard School placed #23 among the best values for stringed instruments. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,950. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $14,101. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

24
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #24 among the best values for stringed instruments. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete the stringed instruments program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 46%.

25

San Francisco Conservatory Of Music earned the #25 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,150. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $26,916. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Stringed Instruments Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s stringed instruments value ranking:

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

Other Stringed Instruments Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Stringed Instruments rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Stringed Instruments
Associate's Degrees in Stringed Instruments
Master's Degrees in Stringed Instruments
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View All Stringed Instruments Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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