by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 7 schools to find the best return on investment for other music students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Mercy College, our #1 best value for other music in New York. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $26,750. Early-career other music graduates make about $61,432. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny At Purchase College earned it the #2 place for other music. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Other Music graduates carry a median of $22,179 in student loans. Early-career other music graduates make about $23,182. That is a strong return on a $22,179 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Houghton College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value other music schools. Set in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,430. Other Music graduates carry a median of $24,725 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other music degree recipients from Houghton College generally make around $26,934. Set against $24,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Rochester one of the best values for other music. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $26,769. Other Music graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Set against $26,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value other music schools. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $25,211. Other Music graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $61,547 early in their careers. Set against $25,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
New York University landed the #6 spot for other music value this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical student debt for other music graduates is $25,000. Other Music graduates of New York University earn a median of $28,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
The Juilliard School came in at #7 for value in other music this year. Set in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,950. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the other music program here. Other Music graduates of The Juilliard School earn a median of $14,101 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.