[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for music performance students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music performance, balancing cost against outcomes.
New Jersey City University tops our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools in New Jersey. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $18,544. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music performance will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #2. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $41,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned it the #3 place for music performance. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $46,981. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Rowan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $32,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $36,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
More Music Performance Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 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.
