2024 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts
21
Ranked Colleges
1,491
Degrees Awarded
$27,300
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Music is the 43rd most popular major in the country with 25,910 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, music graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $27,160 and had an average of $24,560 in loans still to pay off.
Across Massachusetts, there were 1,491 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $24,167 and $26,354 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in music. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent music programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the music program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Music Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts” list to help you make the college decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts.
Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Music in Massachusetts
Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Holyoke Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Holyoke, Massachusetts, this small public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our massachusetts music students list, Holyoke Community College has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Holyoke Community College is $8,271 for Massachusetts Music students.
Read full report on Music at Holyoke Community College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Massachusetts Amherst. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts. UMass Amherst is a large public school situated in Amherst, Massachusetts. It awarded 55 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
UMass Amherst also made our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for UMass Amherst is $22,038 for massachusetts music students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UMass Amherst Music Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bridgewater State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts. Located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, this medium-sized public school handed out 6 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
Bridgewater State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $18,951 for Massachusetts Music students per year to attend Bridgewater State.
Full Bridgewater State University Music Report
Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Massachusetts - Lowell landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Lowell, Massachusetts, and it awarded 42 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our massachusetts music students list, UMass Lowell has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Massachusetts - Lowell is $20,079 for massachusetts music students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Music at UMass Lowell
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Salem State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts. This medium-sized school is located in Salem, Massachusetts, and it awarded 8 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
Salem State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Salem State is $19,017 for massachusetts music students.
Full Salem State Music Report
With a ranking of #6, Westfield State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts list. Westfield State University is a medium-sized school located in Westfield, Massachusetts that handed out 10 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our massachusetts music students list, Westfield has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Westfield State University is $19,583 for massachusetts music students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at Westfield State University
Gordon College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Wenham, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Gordon College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Gordon College is $25,748 for Massachusetts Music students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music at Gordon College
With a ranking of #8, University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts list. University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth is a medium-sized school located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts that handed out 9 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
UMass Dartmouth also made our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for UMass Dartmouth is $20,050 for massachusetts music students.
Full University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth Music Report
With a ranking of #9, University of Massachusetts - Boston did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts list. This fairly large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 12 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
UMass Boston did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Massachusetts - Boston is $17,752 for Massachusetts Music students.
Read more about Music at UMass Boston
With a ranking of #10, Longy School of Music of Bard College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music degrees to 83 students in 2020-2021.
Longy did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Longy School of Music of Bard College is $32,808 for Massachusetts Music students.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at Longy School of Music of Bard College
Clark University landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
Clark not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $27,233 for Massachusetts Music students per year to attend Clark.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Music at Clark University
With a ranking of #12, Berklee College of Music did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music degrees to 692 students in 2020-2021.
Berklee College of Music not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Berklee College of Music is $46,805 for massachusetts music students.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at Berklee College of Music
The New England Conservatory of Music came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music degrees to 241 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our massachusetts music students list, The New England Conservatory of Music has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $46,080 for Massachusetts Music students per year to attend The New England Conservatory of Music.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at The New England Conservatory of Music
Brandeis University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Brandeis is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Waltham, Massachusetts. It awarded 17 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Brandeis, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Brandeis is $33,663 for massachusetts music students.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Brandeis Music Report
Wheaton College Massachusetts did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #15. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small school located in Norton, Massachusetts that handed out 8 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wheaton College Massachusetts, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wheaton College Massachusetts is $26,575 for Massachusetts Music students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at Wheaton College Massachusetts
Northeastern University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #16. Northeastern University is a large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 36 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
Northeastern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Northeastern University is $29,714 for massachusetts music students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Northeastern University Music Report
Tufts University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #17. This fairly large school is located in Medford, Massachusetts, and it awarded 23 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
Tufts also took the #6 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $37,494 for massachusetts music students per year to attend Tufts University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Tufts University Music Report
With a ranking of #18, Smith College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts list. This small school is located in Northampton, Massachusetts, and it awarded 4 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
Smith did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Smith College is $29,615 for massachusetts music students.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at Smith College
Boston University landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts ranking. This large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 109 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
Boston U also took the #1 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Boston University is $30,395 for massachusetts music students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music at Boston U
Boston College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
Boston College also took the #10 spot in our “Best Music Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $36,599 for massachusetts music students per year to attend Boston College.
With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Boston College Music Report
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