[Music Performance](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-performance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 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.
Truman State University tops our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the best values for music performance. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $32,144. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for music performance. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $20,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #5 makes Pittsburg State University one of the best values for music performance. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $22,669. Early-career music performance graduates make about $50,003. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #6 for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #7 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #8 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,427. Music Performance graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $31,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,427 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University placed #9 among the best values for music performance. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Students borrow a median of $24,876 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $42,039. That is a strong return on a $24,876 median debt. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota placed #10 among the best values for music performance. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $26,322. Early-career music performance graduates make about $46,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College placed #11 among the best values for music performance. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,750. Music Performance graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $24,732 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Concordia College At Moorhead came in at #12 for value in music performance this year. Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,170. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $27,000. Music Performance graduates of Concordia College At Moorhead earn a median of $44,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $65,183. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
