2027 Best Value Conducting Schools
[Conducting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/conducting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 59 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for conducting students.
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Finding the Best Value Conducting School for You
The right conducting school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Conducting Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Conducting Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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2027 Best Value Conducting Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in conducting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Conducting Schools
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 best value for conducting in the United States. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $19,397. Conducting graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $29,641 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in conducting, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $12,157. Conducting graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,902 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of North Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in conducting, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $20,188. Conducting graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $24,405 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Rice University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in conducting, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $11,904. Conducting graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in conducting will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #6 spot for conducting value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $24,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $23,089. Early-career conducting graduates make about $32,144. Set against $23,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Wichita State University landed the #8 spot for conducting value this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the conducting program here. Conducting graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #9 among the best values for conducting. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University landed the #10 spot for conducting value this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $27,846 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $17,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #11 spot for conducting value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Conducting graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Conducting graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $22,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Conducting graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Early-career conducting graduates make about $47,003. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for conducting. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,062 to complete the conducting program here. Conducting graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,062 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #14 position for value in conducting this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Conducting graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music landed the #15 spot for conducting value this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,370, with out-of-state students paying around $3,850. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the conducting program here. Soon after graduation, conducting 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. Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music admits about 78% of applicants.
Western Michigan University placed #16 among the best values for conducting. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Conducting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career conducting graduates make about $27,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University placed #17 among the best values for conducting. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $28,000. Conducting graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $59,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Winthrop University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,678, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Conducting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career conducting graduates make about $25,952. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #19 spot for conducting value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Conducting graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Michigan State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Conducting graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Conducting graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $40,570 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #21 position for value in conducting this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Conducting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career conducting graduates make about $33,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #22 spot for conducting value this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Conducting graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $25,548. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Central Michigan University placed #23 among the best values for conducting. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,975 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $24,911. That is a strong return on a $27,975 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Houghton College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,430. Conducting graduates carry a median of $24,725 in student loans. Early-career conducting graduates make about $26,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in conducting this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the conducting program here. Early-career conducting graduates make about $34,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Conducting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in conducting:
Narrow Conducting Schools by Region
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Conducting. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
