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Featured Music Programs
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MBA in Music Business
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2026 Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Music Schools
For return on investment in music, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Music graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for music graduates is $5,707. Music graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #6 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for music graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #8 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #9 for value in music this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Music graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $21,509. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Citrus College landed the #10 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. 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.
California State University Fullerton landed the #11 spot for music value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Music graduates carry a median of $20,469 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $23,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Las Positas College landed the #12 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Riverside City College earned the #13 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $8,767. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
El Camino Community College District placed #14 among the best values for music. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Palomar College earned the #15 position for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
California State University Fresno placed #16 among the best values for music. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for music graduates is $15,598. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Bakersfield College placed #17 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge earned the #18 position for value in music this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Music graduates carry a median of $15,933 in student loans. Music graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $28,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Honolulu Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,174 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $10,868 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $59,006. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,550. Music graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $21,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,550 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Fullerton College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Los Angeles City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for music graduates is $10,763. Early-career music graduates make about $83,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for music graduates is $16,500. Music graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $25,391 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University landed the #24 spot for music value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay came in at #25 for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music:
Narrow Music Schools by State
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 · 228 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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.
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
