2027 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music schools.
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2027 Best Value Music Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
Leading the list is Nashville State Community College, our #1 best value for music in Tennessee. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. Typical student debt for music graduates is $16,745. Music graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $41,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,745 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee Martin earned it the #2 place for music. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,770. Music graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Memphis came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,060 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $37,385. Set against $22,060 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Austin Peay State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $31,000. 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.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Middle Tennessee State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $22,608. Music graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $27,586 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #6 for value in music this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $44,635. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #7 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for music graduates is $21,500. Early-career music graduates make about $77,997. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #8 for value in music this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. Music graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University earned the #9 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $30,004. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Tennessee State University placed #10 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Music graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $23,868. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #11 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,453. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $33,043. That is a strong return on a $23,453 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Lee University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Typical student debt for music graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $38,249. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Lipscomb University placed #13 among the best values for music. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,529. Music graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $19,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Visible Music College earned the #14 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Visible Music College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,000. Music graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Visible Music College generally make around $25,461. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Belmont University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Students borrow a median of $25,988 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $27,517 early in their careers. Set against $25,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
