by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for music students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Arkansas Tech University earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in Arkansas. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,257. Early-career music graduates make about $45,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Arkansas one of the best values for music. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Students borrow a median of $29,139 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $36,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at University Of Arkansas, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.