2027 Best Value Music Schools in New Jersey
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music students.
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2027 Best Value Music Schools in New Jersey
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
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for music in New Jersey. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
County College Of Morris came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Montclair State University one of the best values for music. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Music graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $41,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #4 makes Brookdale Community College one of the best values for music. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for music graduates is $12,651. Music graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Jersey City University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $18,544. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Students borrow a median of $23,541 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $23,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #7 position for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Music graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $26,621. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rowan University landed the #8 spot for music value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $32,781. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #9 position for value in music this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $36,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Rider University placed #10 among the best values for music. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Rider University earn a median of $26,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #11 for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,429 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $56,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Monmouth University placed #12 among the best values for music. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Students borrow a median of $26,411 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $24,563 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Stevens Institute Of Technology generally make around $21,623. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
