by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for music in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Music graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Miami Dade College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Typical student debt for music graduates is $11,967. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #3 place for music. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for music graduates is $14,557. Early-career music graduates make about $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at West Valley College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for music graduates is $14,308. Music graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District placed #6 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for music graduates is $14,519. Music graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #7 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for music graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College landed the #8 spot for music value this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Music graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College placed #9 among the best values for music. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for music graduates is $10,288. Music graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #11 position for value in music this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Music graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #12 for value in music this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $30,111. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris landed the #13 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Music graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.
Citrus College landed the #14 spot for music value this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Utah Valley University came in at #15 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $24,952 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District earned the #17 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Music graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Music graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College placed #18 among the best values for music. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Music graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
South Texas College earned the #19 position for value in music this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for music graduates is $6,868. Music graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Snow College came in at #20 for value in music this year. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Fullerton College placed #21 among the best values for music. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Allan Hancock College came in at #22 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Daytona State College placed #23 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Music graduates carry a median of $14,227 in student loans. Music graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Antelope Valley College landed the #24 spot for music value this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College earned the #25 position for value in music this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for music graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Music rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.