2026 Best Value Stringed Instruments Master’s Degree Schools

1

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University tops our 2026 list of the best value stringed instruments schools in the United States. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. 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. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

2

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $16,481. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

3

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in stringed instruments, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for stringed instruments. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $16,971. Set against $19,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

5

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the best values for stringed instruments. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,769 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $22,513. Set against $20,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

6

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University landed the #6 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $24,262. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

7

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee earned the #7 position 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, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $23,453. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $34,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma placed #8 among the best values for stringed instruments. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.

9

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for value in stringed instruments this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

10

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University placed #10 among the best values for stringed instruments. 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. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

11

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University landed the #11 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $18,166. Stringed Instruments graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $21,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

12

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University landed the #12 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $21,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

13

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $27,000. Stringed Instruments graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $39,909 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

14

University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford landed the #14 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,075. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $29,038. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

15

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #15 for value in stringed instruments this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $24,431 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.

16

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #16 position for value in stringed instruments this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. 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 $27,510. Set against $20,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

17

The Juilliard School
New York, NY

The Juilliard School landed the #17 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Set in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,950. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from The Juilliard School generally make around $14,101. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

18

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #18 among the best values for stringed instruments. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $26,130. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.

19

San Francisco Conservatory Of Music
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Conservatory Of Music placed #19 among the best values for stringed instruments. San Francisco Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,150. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $27,000. Stringed Instruments graduates of San Francisco Conservatory Of Music earn a median of $35,025 early in their careers. San Francisco Conservatory Of Music admits about 55% of applicants.

20

The New England Conservatory Of Music
Boston, MA

The New England Conservatory Of Music landed the #20 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Located in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $26,991. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $24,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 41%.

21

Longy School Of Music Of Bard College
Cambridge, MA

Longy School Of Music Of Bard College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,275 in tuition and fees. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $30,660.

22

Manhattan School Of Music
New York, NY

Manhattan School Of Music landed the #22 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,050. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $18,441. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.

23

The New School
New York, NY

The New School came in at #23 for value in stringed instruments this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $18,911. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.