2027 Best Value Music Schools in the Southeast Region
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 99 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Music Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $22,559. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Miami Dade College one of the best values for music. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Music graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Music graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $14,882. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $27,481. That is a strong return on a $14,882 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for music graduates is $19,000. Music graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,880 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #5 place for music. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Daytona State College placed #6 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,227 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Set against $14,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,567. Music graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $21,957 early in their careers. Set against $20,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #8 spot for music value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Music graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida placed #9 among the best values for music. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for music graduates is $19,677. Early-career music graduates make about $47,141. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #10 for value in music this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $23,992 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $26,311. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Itawamba Community College came in at #11 for value in music this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Florida placed #12 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Music graduates carry a median of $20,188 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $24,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Murray State University placed #13 among the best values for music. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Music graduates carry a median of $26,731 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $34,098. That is a strong return on a $26,731 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Nashville State Community College placed #14 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. Music graduates carry a median of $16,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $41,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Georgia landed the #15 spot for music value this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for music graduates is $21,439. Music graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Music graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans. Music graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
Valencia College placed #17 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Typical student debt for music graduates is $10,575. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $22,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morehead State University earned the #18 position for value in music this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $31,088. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
St Petersburg College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,385. Early-career music graduates make about $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Kentucky University came in at #20 for value in music this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,317 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $34,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $24,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
John C Calhoun State Community College earned the #22 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,990. Typical student debt for music graduates is $13,839. Early-career music graduates make about $42,916. That is a strong return on a $13,839 median debt.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #23 position for value in music this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Music graduates carry a median of $20,379 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $30,106. Set against $20,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in music this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $38,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University earned the #25 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Music graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $39,008 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music value ranking:
Narrow Music Schools by State
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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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 99 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.
