by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 165 schools to find the best return on investment for music students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of The Canyons tops our 2026 list of the best value music schools in California. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $9,776. Early-career music graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Music graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Music graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Fresno City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Music graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #6 for value in music this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Music graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Pasadena City College landed the #7 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College came in at #8 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #9 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $21,509. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Citrus College earned the #10 position for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Las Positas College earned the #11 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Riverside City College landed the #12 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Music graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton landed the #13 spot for music value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Music graduates carry a median of $20,469 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $23,969. Set against $20,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
El Camino Community College District came in at #14 for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Palomar College earned the #15 position for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
California State University Fresno ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Bakersfield College came in at #17 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Music graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $15,933 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $28,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach came in at #19 for value in music this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Music graduates carry a median of $20,550 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $21,916. That is a strong return on a $20,550 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Los Angeles City College ranked #20 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $10,763 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Los Angeles City College earn a median of $83,699 early in their careers. Set against $10,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
California State University Sacramento earned the #22 position for value in music this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Music graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $25,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Stanford University came in at #23 for value in music 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. Music graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University East Bay earned the #24 position for value in music this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Music graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Modesto Junior College earned the #25 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 165 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
