2026 Best Value Music Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Music associate’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1375 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Music Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Collin County Community College District tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Music associate's degree schools in the United States. Located in McKinney, TX, Collin County Community College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Typical Music student debt is $9,716. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Collin County Community College District
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valencia College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Orlando, FL, Valencia College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. The median Music program debt is $10,575. Valencia College alumni report median earnings of $40,594 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,575 median debt. More on Valencia College
A rank of #3 makes Century College one of the best values in the United States. Century College is a public school based in White Bear Lake, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete their Music program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Century College
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Music ranking in the United States. Based in Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical Music student debt is $18,296. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,113. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt. Get the full Milwaukee Area Technical College report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Finger Lakes Community College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Finger Lakes Community College is a public school based in Canandaigua, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,258, compared with $8,442 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,736 to complete their Music program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,054. That is a strong return on a $16,736 median debt. Read the full report on Finger Lakes Community College
El Centro College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. 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 their Music program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,714 ten years after entry. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full El Centro College report
John Tyler Community College placed #7 among the best-value Music schools in the United States. Set in Chester, VA, John Tyler Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,223 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full John Tyler Community College profile
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Spokane, WA, Spokane Falls Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Spokane Falls Community College Music students take on a median of $17,031 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Spokane Falls Community College
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a public school based in Long Island City, NY. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical Music student debt is $8,858. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,653. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Cuny Laguardia Community College
Scottsdale Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Scottsdale Community College is a public school based in Scottsdale, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,905. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt. Get the full Scottsdale Community College report
Sinclair Community College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Dayton, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Sinclair Community College Music students take on a median of $12,525 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,558. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt. Read the full report on Sinclair Community College
Holyoke Community College placed #12 among the best-value Music schools in the United States. This public school is set in Holyoke, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. The median Music program debt is $9,763. Median earnings reach $37,277 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Holyoke Community College profile
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical Music student debt is $8,794. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,306. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt. Get the full Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College report
Austin Community College District came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Austin, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Austin Community College District Music students take on a median of $14,519 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,177. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Austin Community College District profile
Northwest College landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Powell, WY, Northwest College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,962, with out-of-state students paying around $11,262. Students borrow a median of $12,996 to complete their Music program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Northwest College profile
Brookdale Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Music schools. This public school is set in Lincroft, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Brookdale Community College alumni report median earnings of $44,379 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt. See the full Brookdale Community College profile
Arapahoe Community College placed #17 among the best-value Music schools in the United States. This public school is set in Littleton, CO. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,434, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Arapahoe Community College Music students take on a median of $20,448 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,341. Set against $20,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Arapahoe Community College report
Bellevue College landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Bellevue, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,436, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Bellevue College Music students take on a median of $18,839 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,310 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,839 median debt. Read the full report on Bellevue College
Onondaga Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Syracuse, NY, Onondaga Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Typical Music student debt is $12,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,190 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Onondaga Community College
County College Of Morris came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Based in Randolph, NJ, County College Of Morris is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete their Music program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,243 ten years after entry. Set against $9,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on County College Of Morris
Salt Lake Community College landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. The median Music program debt is $10,855. Median earnings reach $47,867 ten years out. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Salt Lake Community College
Owens Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Music schools. Based in Perrysburg, OH, Owens Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Typical Music student debt is $19,383. Median earnings reach $37,275 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Owens Community College
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Las Vegas, NV, College Of Southern Nevada is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,087 ten years after entry. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full College Of Southern Nevada report
San Diego Mesa College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Located in San Diego, CA, San Diego Mesa College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. The median Music program debt is $6,999. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full San Diego Mesa College profile
Miami Dade College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Miami Dade College is a public school based in Miami, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical Music student debt is $11,967. Miami Dade College alumni report median earnings of $40,654 a decade after entry. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Miami Dade College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Music Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Monroe Community College came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Located in Rochester, NY, Monroe Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Monroe Community College Music students take on a median of $12,921 in debt. Median earnings reach $40,174 ten years out. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Monroe Community College
University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Music schools. University Of Central Oklahoma is a public school based in Edmond, OK. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. The median Music program debt is $23,125. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,351. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants. More on University Of Central Oklahoma
Academy Of Art University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Music schools. Based in San Francisco, CA, Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,736. Graduates carry a median of $30,949 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,008. That is a strong return on a $30,949 median debt. More on Academy Of Art University
Community College Of Aurora came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Located in Aurora, CO, Community College Of Aurora is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical Music student debt is $15,365. Community College Of Aurora alumni report median earnings of $44,592 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,365 median debt. More on Community College Of Aurora
Nashville State Community College placed #30 among the best-value Music schools in the United States. Located in Nashville, TN, Nashville State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Graduates carry a median of $16,745 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,519 ten years after entry. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Nashville State Community College
Trevecca Nazarene University placed #31 among the best-value Music schools in the United States. Set in Nashville, TN, Trevecca Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,300. Trevecca Nazarene University Music students take on a median of $24,962 in debt. Trevecca Nazarene University alumni report median earnings of $49,378 a decade after entry. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 69% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Trevecca Nazarene University profile
Full Sail University placed #32 among the best-value Music schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Winter Park, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,906. The median Music program debt is $29,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,219 ten years after entry. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Full Sail University profile
Nassau Community College came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Garden City, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Median earnings reach $48,248 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Nassau Community College
Tidewater Community College came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Based in Norfolk, VA, Tidewater Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. The median Music program debt is $14,001. Tidewater Community College alumni report median earnings of $38,349 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Tidewater Community College
Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Bronx, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, while out-of-state students pay about $8,134. Graduates carry a median of $9,007 in student loans. Median earnings reach $40,485 ten years out. Set against $9,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Cuny Hostos Community College
Utah Valley University came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Orem, UT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical Music student debt is $16,478. Median earnings reach $55,486 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Utah Valley University
Niagara County Community College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Music schools. Set in Sanborn, NY, Niagara County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical Music student debt is $13,970. Niagara County Community College alumni report median earnings of $42,285 a decade after entry. Set against $13,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Niagara County Community College
Oklahoma City Community College placed #38 among the best-value Music schools in the United States. Oklahoma City Community College is a public school based in Oklahoma City, OK. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Graduates carry a median of $13,919 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,146 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,919 median debt. Get the full Oklahoma City Community College report
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Set in Bayside, NY, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical Music student debt is $10,052. Cuny Queensborough Community College alumni report median earnings of $44,214 a decade after entry. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Cuny Queensborough Community College
Suffolk County Community College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Selden, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical Music student debt is $11,246. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,907 ten years after entry. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Suffolk County Community College
Los Angeles Film School came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Set in Hollywood, CA, Los Angeles Film School is a private for-profit institution. Typical Music student debt is $22,625. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $31,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Los Angeles Film School report
Allen University
Allen University placed #42 among the best-value Music schools in the United States. Read more about Allen University
Earlham College
Earlham College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Earlham College report
Northern State University came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Northern State University
Oakton Community College placed #45 among the best-value Music schools in the United States. Read more about Oakton Community College
San Antonio College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. See the full San Antonio College profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #47 among the best-value Music schools in the United States. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Bethany College Kansas placed #48 among the best-value Music schools in the United States. Read more about Bethany College Kansas
Judson University landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Judson University
Northwest Mississippi Community College landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Northwest Mississippi Community College
Related Music Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Music Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Music Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Music Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Music Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Music Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Music Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1375 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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