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2027 Best Value Conducting Schools in the Great Lakes Region

11 Colleges in the United States
$24,858 Avg Student Debt
$62,266 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Conducting Badge [Conducting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/conducting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong conducting education at a price that pays off.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for conducting students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Conducting Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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

Best Value Conducting Schools

1
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University tops our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools in the Great Lakes Region. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the conducting program here. Conducting graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for conducting. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $19,397. Early-career conducting graduates make about $29,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

3

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Conducting graduates carry a median of $25,062 in student loans. Early-career conducting graduates make about $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

4

Western Michigan University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the conducting program here. Conducting graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $27,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

5
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Michigan University earned it the #5 place for conducting. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #6 position for value in conducting this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $26,750. Early-career conducting graduates make about $40,570. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

7

Kent State University At Kent ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $24,340. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

8

Ohio University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for conducting. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $27,000. Early-career conducting graduates make about $34,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

9

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for conducting. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,946 to complete the conducting program here. Conducting graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $22,533 early in their careers. Set against $23,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

10

Northwestern University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value conducting schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for conducting graduates is $18,166. Conducting graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $28,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

11
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University came in at #11 for value in conducting this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,560. Conducting graduates carry a median of $24,170 in student loans. Soon after graduation, conducting degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. Set against $24,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

Narrow Conducting Schools by State

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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