2027 Best Value Music Schools in Texas
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for music students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Music Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
Leading the list is The University Of Texas Pan American, our #1 best value for music in Texas. 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, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $20,920 in student loans. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for music graduates is $15,095. Early-career music graduates make about $20,788. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #4 place for music. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Tarrant County College District, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Music graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District earned the #6 position for value in music this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Music graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Music graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #7 for value in music this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for music graduates is $14,612. Early-career music graduates make about $56,062. Set against $14,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
South Plains College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Typical student debt for music graduates is $13,788. Music graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. 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, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $26,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $42,328. That is a strong return on a $26,407 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,570. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $47,010. Set against $24,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Tyler Junior College came in at #11 for value in music this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System landed the #12 spot for music value this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Music graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Texas Womans University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $25,810 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $41,210. Set against $25,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #14 among the best values for music. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,101. Music graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $52,282 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Rice University earned the #15 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $30,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #16 among the best values for music. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $56,072. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
San Jacinto Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for music graduates is $11,376. Music graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. Set against $11,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #18 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,911 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $37,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,911 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Houston landed the #19 spot for music value 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. Early-career music graduates make about $52,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $20,959. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $37,104. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #21 spot for music value this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $48,405. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Prairie View A And M University placed #22 among the best values for music. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $53,784 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #23 spot for music value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,456. Music graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $36,763 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,456 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Sam Houston State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $59,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Angelo State University earned the #25 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Music graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music:
View All Music Rankings >
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
