[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music performance education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music performance schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music performance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Portland State University earned the #1 spot for value among music performance schools in Oregon. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,846 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $17,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Southern Oregon University one of the best values for music performance. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,762, with out-of-state students paying around $31,887. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,951 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $24,951 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Oregon State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $19,184 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $29,630. Set against $19,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Oregon earned it the #4 place for music performance. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Students borrow a median of $20,583 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $20,707 early in their careers. Set against $20,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
