2027 Best Value Stringed Instruments Master’s Degree Schools
[Stringed Instruments](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/stringed-instruments/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value stringed instruments schools.
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2027 Best Value Stringed Instruments Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in stringed instruments, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Stringed Instruments Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among stringed instruments schools in the United States. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $19,397 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $16,971. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rice University earned it the #2 place for stringed instruments. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $11,904. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $30,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for stringed instruments. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in stringed instruments will find it at Brigham Young University Provo, which ranked #4. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $22,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #5 place for stringed instruments. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for stringed instruments. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $25,062 in student loans. Stringed Instruments graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $34,253 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #7 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,769 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $22,513. Set against $20,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #8 for value in stringed instruments this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $23,453 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $34,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma placed #9 among the best values for stringed instruments. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Stringed Instruments graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Curtis Institute Of Music ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Curtis Institute Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University came in at #12 for value in stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $21,250. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $29,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University placed #14 among the best values for stringed instruments. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $18,166 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $21,290. Set against $18,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Liberty University came in at #15 for value in stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $39,909. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Redlands landed the #16 spot for stringed instruments value this year. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,878. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Stringed Instruments graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $57,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Hartford came in at #17 for value in stringed instruments this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $27,000. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $29,038. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #18 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $24,431. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $23,278. That is a strong return on a $24,431 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California landed the #19 spot for stringed instruments value this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $20,976. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $27,510. That is a strong return on a $20,976 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Texas Christian University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value stringed instruments schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $23,500. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $60,035. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Longy School Of Music Of Bard College earned the #21 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,275. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $30,660.
Syracuse University placed #22 among the best values for stringed instruments. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Stringed Instruments graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
San Francisco Conservatory Of Music landed the #23 spot for stringed instruments value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,150. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from San Francisco Conservatory Of Music generally make around $35,025. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The Juilliard School earned the #24 position for value in stringed instruments this year. The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,950. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $25,000. Stringed Instruments graduates of The Juilliard School earn a median of $14,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The Juilliard School admits about 9% of applicants.
The New England Conservatory Of Music landed the #25 spot for stringed instruments value this year. The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,750. Stringed Instruments graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from The New England Conservatory Of Music generally make around $24,499. Set against $26,991 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Stringed Instruments Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in stringed instruments:
Other Stringed Instruments Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Stringed Instruments rankings across degree levels:
View All Stringed Instruments Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
