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 30 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in New York. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Music graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $16,996. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for music. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Music graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $33,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Music graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $19,145. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $27,902. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #5. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for music graduates is $11,246. Music graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #6 among the best values for music. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for music graduates is $8,794. Early-career music graduates make about $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #7 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $31,437. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $12,000. Early-career music graduates make about $35,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercy College came in at #9 for value in music this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,750. Early-career music graduates make about $61,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Schenectady County Community College landed the #10 spot for music value this year. Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. Students from in state pay about $6,190 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.
Suny At Fredonia ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $35,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam earned the #12 position for value in music this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $23,902. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
Stony Brook University earned the #13 position for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Music graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $34,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #14 position for value in music this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #15 for value in music this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $21,530. Music graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $17,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Suny At Purchase College came in at #16 for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Students borrow a median of $22,179 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $22,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #17 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Music graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Music graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $32,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Houghton College earned the #18 position for value in music this year. Located in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,430. Music graduates carry a median of $24,725 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Houghton College generally make around $26,934. Set against $24,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Houghton College admits about 89% of applicants.
Five Towns College landed the #19 spot for music value this year. Five Towns College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Dix Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,250. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Five Towns College generally make around $25,315. That is a strong return on a $27,750 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Students borrow a median of $26,769 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $27,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Nazareth College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,210. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,185. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Nazareth College generally make around $44,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Skidmore College earned the #22 position for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,140 in tuition and fees. Music graduates carry a median of $18,274 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Skidmore College generally make around $34,440. Set against $18,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #23 position for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,432 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,211 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $61,547. That is a strong return on a $25,211 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ithaca College came in at #24 for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,616. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $23,119 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Bard College came in at #25 for value in music this year. Located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,436 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,402. Music graduates of Bard College earn a median of $30,660 early in their careers. Set against $26,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.