2026 Best Value Keyboard Instruments Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Keyboard Instruments](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/keyboard-instruments/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for keyboard instruments students.
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2026 Best Value Keyboard Instruments Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the keyboard instruments degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Keyboard Instruments Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Delaware the best value for a degree in keyboard instruments in the Middle Atlantic Region. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $25,334 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Keyboard Instruments graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #2 makes West Chester University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for keyboard instruments. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rider University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in keyboard instruments, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $26,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
A rank of #4 makes Temple University one of the best values for keyboard instruments. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $20,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in keyboard instruments will find it at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Rochester ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value keyboard instruments schools. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Students borrow a median of $26,769 to complete the keyboard instruments program here. Soon after graduation, keyboard instruments degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $27,409. That is a strong return on a $26,769 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Catholic University Of America ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value keyboard instruments schools. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $24,625. Keyboard Instruments graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $23,856 early in their careers. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The Juilliard School ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value keyboard instruments schools. Located in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,950. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $25,000. Keyboard Instruments graduates of The Juilliard School earn a median of $14,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University earned the #9 position for value in keyboard instruments this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $26,130. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Manhattan School Of Music came in at #10 for value in keyboard instruments this year. Located in the city of New York, Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,050. Keyboard Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Keyboard Instruments graduates of Manhattan School Of Music earn a median of $18,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
The New School landed the #11 spot for keyboard instruments value this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Typical student debt for keyboard instruments graduates is $24,000. Early-career keyboard instruments graduates make about $15,510. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.