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Featured Jazz Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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2026 Best Value Jazz Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in jazz studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Jazz Studies Schools
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #1 spot for value among jazz studies schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $47,151 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for jazz studies. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $16,481. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in jazz studies will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,823 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,119 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Western Oregon University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Monmouth. Students from in state pay about $11,514 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,169. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $24,166. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Western Oregon University generally make around $39,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Oregon came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $20,583. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $20,707 early in their careers. Set against $20,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California earned the #6 position for value in jazz studies this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $20,976. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $23,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
San Francisco Conservatory Of Music placed #7 among the best values for jazz studies. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,150. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from San Francisco Conservatory Of Music generally make around $32,882. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
California Institute Of The Arts came in at #8 for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,996. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of California Institute Of The Arts earn a median of $18,373 early in their careers. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 32% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
[Jazz Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/jazz-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
