2027 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest 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 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Music Schools
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas Pan American the best value for a degree in music in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $20,920 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $56,373 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for music. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Music graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Music graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $20,788 early in their careers. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tarrant County College District earned it the #4 place for music. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for music graduates is $15,148. Music graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #5 place for music. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Austin Community College District ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Music graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $14,612 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $56,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
South Plains College landed the #8 spot for music value this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Music graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Music graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for music value this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $19,277 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $49,087 early in their careers. Set against $19,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University landed the #10 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Music graduates carry a median of $26,407 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $42,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #11 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $24,570 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $47,010 early in their careers. Set against $24,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $19,026. Music graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Tyler Junior College came in at #13 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Music graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #14 spot for music value this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Lone Star College System landed the #15 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Texas Womans University came in at #16 for value in music this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $25,810 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $41,210. That is a strong return on a $25,810 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Mesa Community College placed #17 among the best values for music. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $13,750. Early-career music graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #18 spot for music value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Music graduates carry a median of $27,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $52,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #19 position for value in music this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Music graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $56,072. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
San Jacinto Community College placed #20 among the best values for music. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for music graduates is $11,376. Early-career music graduates make about $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Rice University landed the #21 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Music graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $30,454. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #22 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Music graduates carry a median of $24,911 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $37,020. Set against $24,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #23 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $52,799 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #24 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $37,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University earned the #25 position for value in music this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $21,645. Early-career music graduates make about $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Music Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music value ranking:
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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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
