[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 114 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music performance students.
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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.
For return on investment in music performance, no school beat California State University Northridge this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $37,985. That is a strong return on a $15,933 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for music performance. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $16,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $12,500. Music Performance graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $21,509 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $25,391. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for music performance. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,902 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Fullerton ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,469 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $23,969 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Florida State University earned the #7 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,992. Early-career music performance graduates make about $26,016. Set against $23,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #8 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $21,829. Early-career music performance graduates make about $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Southern Utah University earned the #9 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $20,550 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $25,480. That is a strong return on a $20,550 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
San Jose State University earned the #11 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $29,507 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 California Los Angeles came in at #13 for value in music performance this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $15,520. That is a strong return on a $23,119 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #14 position for value in music performance this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, 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 $47,010. That is a strong return on a $24,570 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $19,397. Early-career music performance graduates make about $16,971. Set against $19,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #16 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $32,932. Set against $23,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Houston came in at #17 for value in music performance this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $52,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #18 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $27,101 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $54,201. Set against $27,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Georgia ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,344 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $29,460. Set against $22,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #20 for value in music performance this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #21 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,614 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $39,616. Set against $21,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #22 among the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $23,379. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University came in at #23 for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University placed #24 among the best values for music performance. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $40,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Western Illinois University placed #25 among the best values for music performance. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $32,666. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for music performance this year:
Explore the best-value music performance schools at other degree levels:
View All Music Performance Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 114 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 114 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.
