by our College Data Analytics Team
[Stringed Instruments](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/stringed-instruments/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for stringed instruments students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in stringed instruments, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is West Chester University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 best value for stringed instruments in the Middle Atlantic Region. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Catholic University Of America one of the best values for stringed instruments. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $65,120. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Students looking for strong value in stringed instruments will find it at Carnegie Mellon University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $24,431. Stringed Instruments graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $23,278 early in their careers. Set against $24,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Syracuse University earned it the #4 place for stringed instruments. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $26,130. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Juilliard School earned it the #5 place for stringed instruments. Set in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Manhattan School Of Music came in at #6 for value in stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of New York, Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for stringed instruments graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Manhattan School Of Music generally make around $18,441. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
The New School earned the #7 position for value in stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the stringed instruments program here. Early-career stringed instruments graduates make about $15,510. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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.