[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Maryland College Park the best value for a degree in music performance in Maryland. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $21,614. Early-career music performance graduates make about $52,541. Set against $21,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #2 spot this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,250. Music Performance graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Maryland Baltimore County one of the best values for music performance. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $23,991 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
More Music Performance Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 2 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.
