2022 Best Value Colleges for Music (Income $0-$30k) in Massachusetts
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Music is the 40th most popular major in the country with 27,047 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, music graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $25,639 and had an average of $28,653 in loans still to pay off.
Across Massachusetts, there were 1,743 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,450 and $31,150 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered a degree in music. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality music programs that also have a lower cost than 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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The music school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k”.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Music (Income $0-$30k) in Massachusetts
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Williams College landed the #1 spot on the list. Williams is a private not-for-profit institution located in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Williams, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Williams is $2,498 for massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k.
The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 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 90%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Harvard is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Harvard did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $2,973 for massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Harvard.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tufts University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Medford, Massachusetts, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 18 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.
Tufts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Tufts University is $5,267 for Massachusetts Music students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Boston College landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and it awarded 6 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Boston College has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Boston College is $6,353 for massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wellesley College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Wellesley is located in Wellesley, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
Wellesley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $8,785 for massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wellesley College.
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 impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%.
Northeastern University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Northeastern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Northeastern is $10,239 for Massachusetts Music students whose families make $0-$30k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.
With a ranking of #7, College of the Holy Cross did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Worcester, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.
Holy Cross also made our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for College of the Holy Cross is $15,036 for Massachusetts Music students whose families make $0-$30k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Smith College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Northampton, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Smith has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Smith is $6,075 for Massachusetts Music students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Boston University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 142 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boston U, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $12,903 for Massachusetts Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Boston University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
University of Massachusetts Amherst did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. UMass Amherst is a large public school situated in Amherst, Massachusetts. It awarded 83 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMass Amherst has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $13,137 for massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMass Amherst.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.
Brandeis University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brandeis is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Waltham, Massachusetts. It awarded 11 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.
Brandeis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Brandeis University is $13,567 for Massachusetts Music students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low 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%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.
University of Massachusetts - Lowell ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMass Lowell is located in Lowell, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 54 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
UMass Lowell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $11,560 for massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMass Lowell.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music at University of Massachusetts - Lowell
Holyoke Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Holyoke Community College is a small public school situated in Holyoke, Massachusetts. It awarded 1 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.
Holyoke Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $6,366 for massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Holyoke Community College.
Mount Holyoke College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mt. Holyoke is a private not-for-profit institution located in South Hadley, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Mt. Holyoke also made our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Mount Holyoke College is $12,063 for Massachusetts Music students whose families make $0-$30k.
The impressive 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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Westfield State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Westfield, Massachusetts, this medium-sized public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Westfield, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Westfield is $12,672 for massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Bridgewater State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bridgewater State University is located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
Bridgewater State also made our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $13,332 for Massachusetts Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bridgewater State.
Salem State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Salem State University is located in Salem, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
Salem State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Salem State is $14,593 for massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a ranking of #18, University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMass Dartmouth is a medium-sized public school situated in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. It awarded 6 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.
UMass Dartmouth also took the #23 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth is $13,925 for massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Music at University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
Wheaton College Massachusetts came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wheaton College Massachusetts is located in Norton, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
Wheaton College Massachusetts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Massachusetts is $20,511 for Massachusetts 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 student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
With a ranking of #20, Clark University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.
Clark also took the #19 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Clark is $22,734 for Massachusetts Music students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The 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.
University of Massachusetts - Boston came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this fairly large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.
UMass Boston not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMass Boston is $13,859 for Massachusetts Music students whose families make $0-$30k.
Gordon College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Gordon College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wenham, Massachusetts. It awarded 8 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.
Gordon College also made our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Gordon College is $22,732 for massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
With a ranking of #23, Longy School of Music of Bard College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 119 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.
Longy also took the #21 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read full report on Music at Longy School of Music of Bard College
Berklee College of Music came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Berklee College of Music is a medium-sized school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 810 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.
Berklee College of Music not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $45,231 for massachusetts music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Berklee College of Music.
The impressive 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.
Emerson College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.
Emerson also made our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Emerson College is $39,241 for Massachusetts Music students whose families make $0-$30k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
- Best Value Colleges for Music (Income $0-$30k) in the New England Region
- Best Value Colleges for Music (Income $0-$30k)
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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