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2027 Best Value Music Schools in Colorado

7 Colleges in the United States
$24,716 Avg Student Debt
$59,408 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Music Badge [Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music students.

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2027 Best Value Music Schools in Colorado

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Music Schools

1

University Of Colorado Denver earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in Colorado. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $29,483. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.

2
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

A rank of #2 makes Mesa State College one of the best values for music. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Music graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $43,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Metropolitan State College Of Denver, which ranked #3. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for music graduates is $30,971. Early-career music graduates make about $19,797. That is a strong return on a $30,971 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

4

University Of Northern Colorado came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $24,354 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $27,731. That is a strong return on a $24,354 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

5

Colorado State University Fort Collins is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #5 spot this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,837. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $46,479. That is a strong return on a $26,837 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

6

University Of Colorado Boulder placed #6 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $17,288 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $32,416. Set against $17,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.

7

University Of Denver landed the #7 spot for music value this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Music graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $23,403. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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