by our College Data Analytics Team
[Jazz Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/jazz-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 63 schools to find the best return on investment for jazz studies students.
What’s on this page:
The right jazz studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Jazz Studies 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Jazz Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the jazz studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in jazz studies, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny City College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $20,000. Jazz Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $19,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of North Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $20,188. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $24,405. Set against $20,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $23,119 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $18,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in jazz studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $27,902. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $19,397 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $29,641. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #7 spot for jazz studies value this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $47,151. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #8 for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #9 position for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,501 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $22,108 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $31,821 early in their careers. Set against $22,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #10 for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,144 early in their careers. Set against $23,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia placed #11 among the best values for jazz studies. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $46,432. Set against $26,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University landed the #12 spot for jazz studies value this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies 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.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #13 position for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies 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.
Vanderbilt University came in at #14 for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $77,997. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music placed #15 among the best values for jazz studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $5,005. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #16 spot for jazz studies value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $25,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $23,593. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,003. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Columbus State University earned the #18 position for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $51,154. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in jazz studies this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,062 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #20 position for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $24,456. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $36,763 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University placed #21 among the best values for jazz studies. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Western Michigan University placed #22 among the best values for jazz studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the jazz studies program here. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $27,361. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #23 among the best values for jazz studies. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for jazz studies. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $27,000. Jazz Studies graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $23,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in jazz studies:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Jazz Studies. Browse the parent area of study.
The ranking above is published 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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.