by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 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.
Snow College tops our 2027 list of the best value music schools in Utah. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $10,440. Early-career music graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #2 spot this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for music graduates is $16,478. Music graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $24,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Music graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Southern Utah University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Music graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $22,983. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for music graduates is $10,460. Music graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $22,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Utah came in at #7 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Music graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $42,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.