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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 52 schools to find the best return on investment for music students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Lewis And Clark Community College the best value for a degree in music in the Great Lakes Region. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Music graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Music graduates carry a median of $19,397 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $29,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Oakland University one of the best values for music. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Music graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Music graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #4 makes Stark State College one of the best values for music. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Music graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Music graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #5 place for music. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $56,930. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for music value this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $26,300 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $37,163. Set against $26,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Wayne State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $32,911 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #8 for value in music this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #9 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $25,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #10 for value in music this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Music graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $41,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Western Illinois University came in at #11 for value in music this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical student debt for music graduates is $30,000. Music graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $32,666 early in their careers. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #12 for value in music this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $31,134. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #13 for value in music this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Music graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,254. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,062 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $35,273. That is a strong return on a $25,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Kent State University At Stark placed #15 among the best values for music. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Kent State University At Stark is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Music graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Kent State University At Stark generally make around $24,340. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #16 for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,500. Early-career music graduates make about $34,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #17 among the best values for music. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University came in at #18 for value in music this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $47,863. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #19 for value in music this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,769 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $28,328. That is a strong return on a $20,769 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #20 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Music graduates carry a median of $26,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $43,764. That is a strong return on a $26,637 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for music graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $27,478. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Western Michigan University placed #22 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $27,361. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $35,209. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #24 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $31,552 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Cleveland State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $32,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music:
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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.