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2023 Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

21 Ranked Colleges
987 Degrees Awarded
$17,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Music is the 43rd most popular major in the country with 25,910 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, music graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $27,160 and had an average of $24,560 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 987 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,370 and $26,889 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in music. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great music programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the music program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Music (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 9 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

UPenn also made our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $580 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Pennsylvania.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at University of Pennsylvania

2
Lafayette crest
Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Lafayette College landed the #2 spot on the list. Lafayette College is a small school located in Easton, Pennsylvania that handed out 5 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Lafayette also made our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Lafayette College is $11,728 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Music at Lafayette College

3
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Carnegie Mellon University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 94 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Carnegie Mellon did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $16,456 for pennsylvania music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carnegie Mellon University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Music at Carnegie Mellon

4
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #4 spot on the list. West Chester, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 90 students in 2020-2021.

WCUPA also made our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend WCUPA is $15,718 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full WCUPA Music Report

5
Muhlenberg crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Muhlenberg College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Muhlenberg is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Muhlenberg has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Muhlenberg College is $18,000 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Music at Muhlenberg

6
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #6, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. It awarded 15 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SRU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is $14,091 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

7
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 130 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Temple, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Temple University is $18,173 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Temple Music Report

8
Messiah crest
Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Messiah University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Messiah is a small school located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 61 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Messiah, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $18,751 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Messiah.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Messiah University Music Report

9
Millersville crest
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 41 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Millersville also made our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Millersville is $17,224 for pennsylvania music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at Millersville

10

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this large public school handed out 31 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pitt, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $15,084 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Pitt Music Report

11

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mansfield University is a public institution located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Mansfield University has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $9,043 for pennsylvania music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.

Read full report on Music at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

12

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IUP is a medium-sized school located in Indiana, Pennsylvania that handed out 59 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

IUP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is $19,397 for pennsylvania music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Music at IUP

13

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bloomsburg has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is $16,112 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Music at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

14
Susquehanna crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Susquehanna University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.

Susquehanna did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Susquehanna University is $17,040 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Music at Susquehanna

15
Albright crest
Albright College
Reading, Pennsylvania

Albright College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Albright College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Reading, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Albright has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $15,448 for pennsylvania music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Albright.

Full Albright College Music Report

16
Moravian crest
Moravian College
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #16, Moravian College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 11 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Moravian not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Moravian College is $21,239 for pennsylvania music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Moravian Music Report

17
Duquesne crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Duquesne University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Duquesne University is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

Duquesne did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $20,515 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Duquesne.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Music at Duquesne

18
LVC crest
Lebanon Valley College
Annville, Pennsylvania

Lebanon Valley College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Annville, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.

LVC also made our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for LVC is $23,263 for pennsylvania music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full LVC Music Report

19

California University of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal U is a medium-sized public school situated in California, Pennsylvania. It awarded 5 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal U, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal U is $15,854 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Music at Cal U

20

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 15 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Kutztown University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is $18,732 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Music Report

21
UArts crest
The University of the Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The University of the Arts did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania music students whose families make $0-$30k list, UArts has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of the Arts is $34,845 for Pennsylvania Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at The University of the Arts

Notes and References

References

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