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.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in music, no school beat Murray State University this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $26,731 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $34,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Morehead State University earned it the #2 place for music. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Typical student debt for music graduates is $25,000. Music graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $31,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #3 place for music. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Music graduates carry a median of $24,317 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $34,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $20,379 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $30,106. Set against $20,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,745. Early-career music graduates make about $19,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Kentucky placed #6 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Music graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $30,818. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Bellarmine University placed #7 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,770. Students borrow a median of $26,766 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Bellarmine University generally make around $46,024. That is a strong return on a $26,766 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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.