2027 Best Value Music Schools in the New England Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music students.
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2027 Best Value Music Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
Leading the list is University Of Massachusetts Lowell, our #1 best value for music in the New England Region. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Early-career music graduates make about $35,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at University Of Southern Maine, which ranked #2. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,593. Music graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Music graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westfield State University earned it the #4 place for music. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Students borrow a median of $25,910 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $46,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont came in at #6 for value in music this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $44,588. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Western Connecticut State University placed #7 among the best values for music. Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Danbury. Students from in state pay about $13,401 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,901. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,025. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $21,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Keene State College landed the #8 spot for music value this year. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,185. Early-career music graduates make about $41,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #9 for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $52,821. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #10 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $30,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University earned the #11 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical student debt for music graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $21,250. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for music. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Early-career music graduates make about $30,716. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University landed the #13 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,957. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $30,982. Set against $26,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Brown University came in at #14 for value in music this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Music graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Music graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Connecticut ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Typical student debt for music graduates is $25,000. Music graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $31,336 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Dartmouth College placed #16 among the best values for music. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Typical student debt for music graduates is $16,989. Early-career music graduates make about $81,992. Set against $16,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Clark University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Music graduates carry a median of $26,153 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $43,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Wesleyan University earned the #18 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,042. Typical student debt for music graduates is $16,125. Music graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University earned the #19 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Students borrow a median of $26,568 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $21,978. Set against $26,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hartford came in at #20 for value in music this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $26,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Bennington College placed #21 among the best values for music. Set in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,262 in tuition and fees. Music graduates carry a median of $26,815 in student loans. Music graduates of Bennington College earn a median of $29,031 early in their careers. Set against $26,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
University Of New Haven came in at #22 for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,332. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of $22,171 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of New Haven admits about 60% of applicants.
Longy School Of Music Of Bard College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,275. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Longy School Of Music Of Bard College generally make around $30,660.
The New England Conservatory Of Music earned the #24 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $60,750. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,991. Early-career music graduates make about $24,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The New England Conservatory Of Music admits about 41% of applicants.
Berklee College Of Music placed #25 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,040. Students borrow a median of $24,979 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Berklee College Of Music generally make around $21,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
