[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music performance education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 509 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music performance students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music performance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among music performance schools in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $16,996. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for music performance. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $11,091. Early-career music performance graduates make about $33,384. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,469 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $23,969. Set against $20,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,920. Early-career music performance graduates make about $56,373. That is a strong return on a $20,920 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for music performance. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles placed #6 among the best values for music performance. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,509. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge earned the #7 position for value in music performance this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,933 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $18,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fresno came in at #8 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Cuny City College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Florida State University earned the #10 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,992. Music Performance graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $19,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Long Beach landed the #11 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $20,550 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $18,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #12 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $25,391. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #13 for value in music performance this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,567 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $21,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #14 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,570 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. That is a strong return on a $24,570 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Utah Valley University came in at #15 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $24,952. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $32,880. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #17 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $20,015. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University earned the #18 position for value in music performance this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,317 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $34,766 early in their careers. Set against $24,317 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of California San Diego placed #19 among the best values for music performance. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $18,938. Early-career music performance graduates make about $21,592. Set against $18,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #20 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,000. Music Performance graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $15,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of North Florida placed #21 among the best values for music performance. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $20,188 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $24,405. That is a strong return on a $20,188 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #22 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Weber State University landed the #23 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Irvine came in at #24 for value in music performance this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #25 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,541 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for music performance this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Music Performance rankings across degree levels:
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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 · 509 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 160 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.
