2027 Best Value Jazz Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Jazz Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/jazz-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong jazz studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for jazz studies students.
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2027 Best Value Jazz Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the jazz studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Jazz Studies Schools
For return on investment in jazz studies, no school beat University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $19,397. Jazz Studies 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.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in jazz studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $25,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $25,062 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Set against $25,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #4 makes Ball State University one of the best values for jazz studies. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $24,518. 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.
Students looking for strong value in jazz studies will find it at Western Michigan University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Michigan State University came in at #7 for value in jazz studies this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the jazz studies program here. Jazz Studies graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $40,570 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Roosevelt University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $27,750. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $29,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Capital University came in at #9 for value in jazz studies this year. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,234. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the jazz studies program here. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $46,516. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for jazz studies value this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Jazz Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $27,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Northwestern University came in at #11 for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $18,166. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $28,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University earned the #12 position for value in jazz studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $23,334. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $22,885. That is a strong return on a $23,334 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Butler University placed #13 among the best values for jazz studies. 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. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $24,170. Jazz Studies graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Oberlin College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value jazz studies schools. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,366. Typical student debt for jazz studies graduates is $26,200. Early-career jazz studies graduates make about $17,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
