2027 Best Value Other Music Master’s Degree Schools
[Other Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for other music students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Other Music Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Music Schools
Leading the list is California State University Northridge, our #1 best value for other music in the United States. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $15,933. Other Music graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $37,985 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,933 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Memphis one of the best values for other music. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $22,060 to complete the other music program here. Early-career other music graduates make about $47,417. That is a strong return on a $22,060 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value other music schools. 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, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the other music program here. Other Music graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $47,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other music will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $16,481. Other Music graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value other music schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Other Music graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Other Music graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $23,379 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #6 position for value in other music this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $10,460 to complete the other music program here. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $22,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #7 for value in other music this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Other Music graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career other music graduates make about $46,054. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #8 among the best values for other music. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Other Music graduates carry a median of $20,769 in student loans. Other Music graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $22,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Georgia State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value other music schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the other music program here. Other Music graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $33,500 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Delaware ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value other music schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Other Music graduates carry a median of $25,334 in student loans. Other Music graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,334 median debt. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
George Mason University earned the #11 position for value in other music this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Other Music graduates carry a median of $24,048 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $35,070. That is a strong return on a $24,048 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #12 spot for other music value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the other music program here. Early-career other music graduates make about $30,761. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Michigan State University placed #13 among the best values for other music. 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. Other Music graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career other music graduates make about $42,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Suny At Purchase College landed the #14 spot for other music value this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,179 to complete the other music program here. Other Music graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $23,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,179 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Curtis Institute Of Music ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value other music schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Curtis Institute Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0. Curtis Institute Of Music admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of Oregon earned the #16 position for value in other music this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,583 to complete the other music program here. Early-career other music graduates make about $20,707. Set against $20,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #17 position for value in other music this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $27,000. Other Music graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $53,623 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Boston University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value other music schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Other Music graduates carry a median of $26,957 in student loans. Early-career other music graduates make about $63,598. Set against $26,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Messiah College landed the #19 spot for other music value this year. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $25,965. Other Music graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $66,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Messiah College admits about 79% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #20 spot for other music value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $19,943. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northwestern University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value other music 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 other music graduates is $18,166. Other Music graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Set against $18,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Wesleyan University landed the #22 spot for other music value this year. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,042 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $16,125. Early-career other music graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Wesleyan University admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Rochester landed the #23 spot for other music value this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Other Music graduates carry a median of $26,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University came in at #24 for value in other music this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $27,000. Early-career other music graduates make about $39,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Hartford landed the #25 spot for other music value this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,075. Other Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $51,123. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Other Music Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s other music value ranking:
Other Other Music Degree Levels
Explore the best-value other music schools at other degree levels:
View All Other Music Rankings >
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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
