Best value Audio and Music Production programs
Ranked by one number: median federal loan debt at completion, divided by median earnings four years later. Lower is better. Nothing else is weighted, and no school can pay to appear here.
Data last updated
How this ranking is produced
- The only input is median debt ÷ median earnings, both from the College Scorecard. There is no reputation score, no survey, and no editorial judgement.
- Programs are ranked within credential level. A certificate with small debt would otherwise outrank every bachelor’s degree, which is not a comparison anyone is actually making.
- A program appears only if it reports both figures. Programs the government suppresses for small class sizes are absent, not penalised.
- A credential tier is shown only where at least five programs qualify, so a ranking never rests on two or three data points.
- Debt covers federal loans only. Private borrowing is invisible here, so a program’s real cost may be higher than its position suggests.
- Earnings count only students who completed. Programs with high dropout rates look better on this measure than they deserve to.
Undergraduate certificate
The 9 lowest debt-to-earnings ratios of 9 undergraduate certificate programs reporting both figures.
| # | Institution | Fieldand delivery | at completion | 4 yrs after | Median federal loan debt at completion, divided by median earnings four years later. It answers a single question: how much of one year’s income do you owe on the day you finish?Below 50% is generally considered manageable. Above 100% means graduates owe more than they earn in a year, and repayment on a standard ten-year plan starts to consume a serious share of income.Debt covers federal loans only, so real ratios are often worse. Both figures are medians — half of graduates fall on the wrong side of each. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omega Studios' School of Applied Recording Arts & SciencesMD · Private for-profit | Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianUndergraduate certificate · On campus | $5,500 | $31,929 | 17% |
| 2 | Conservatory of Recording Arts and SciencesAZ · Private for-profit | Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianUndergraduate certificate · On campus | $8,344 | $37,556 | 22% |
| 3 | Florida Institute of Recording Sound and TechnologyFL · Private for-profit | Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianUndergraduate certificate · Fully online | $7,853 | $33,711 | 23% |
| 4 | American InterContinental University-AtlantaGA · Private for-profit | Music TechnologyUndergraduate certificate · On campus | $9,500 | $36,639 | 26% |
| 5 | American InterContinental University-HoustonTX · Private for-profit | Music TechnologyUndergraduate certificate · On campus | $9,500 | $36,639 | 26% |
| 6 | SAE Institute of Technology-NashvilleTN · Private for-profit | Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianUndergraduate certificate · On campusOffers: Audio (AAS) · Audio (BAS) · Audio Technology (Diploma) · Entertainment Business (AAS/BAS) | $9,500 | $31,742 | 30% |
| 7 | University of GeorgiaGA · Public | Music ManagementUndergraduate certificate · On campus | $19,000 | $55,628 | 34% |
| 8 | Full Sail UniversityFL · Private for-profit | Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, OtherUndergraduate certificate · Online or on campusOffers: Audio Production (BS) · Music Production (BS) · Recording Arts (BS) · Live Event Production (BS) · Music Business (BS) · Film Production (BFA) · Game Design (BS) · Game Development (BS) · Computer Animation (BS) · Graphic Design (BS) · Digital Marketing (BS)What this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/TechnicianThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $12,865 | $36,188 | 36% |
| 9 | Atlanta Institute of Music and MediaGA · Private for-profit | Music TechnologyUndergraduate certificate · Online or on campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music Performance, GeneralThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $11,152 | $30,624 | 36% |
Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)
Associate degree
The 10 lowest debt-to-earnings ratios of 16 associate degree programs reporting both figures.
| # | Institution | Fieldand delivery | at completion | 4 yrs after | Median federal loan debt at completion, divided by median earnings four years later. It answers a single question: how much of one year’s income do you owe on the day you finish?Below 50% is generally considered manageable. Above 100% means graduates owe more than they earn in a year, and repayment on a standard ten-year plan starts to consume a serious share of income.Debt covers federal loans only, so real ratios are often worse. Both figures are medians — half of graduates fall on the wrong side of each. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Community College DistrictTX · Public | Music ManagementAssociate degree · On campus | $10,500 | $47,134 | 22% |
| 2 | Valencia CollegeFL · Public | Music TechnologyAssociate degree · On campus | $9,592 | $38,507 | 25% |
| 3 | Iowa Western Community CollegeIA · Public | Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/TechnicianAssociate degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $11,000 | $35,425 | 31% |
| 4 | Bossier Parish Community CollegeLA · Public | Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, OtherAssociate degree · HybridWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Photographic and Film/Video Technology/TechnicianRadio and Television Broadcasting Technology/TechnicianRecording Arts Technology/TechnicianThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $9,606 | $30,298 | 32% |
| 5 | Vincennes UniversityIN · Public | Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/TechnicianAssociate degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $12,000 | $35,421 | 34% |
| 6 | New England Institute of TechnologyRI · Private nonprofit | Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/TechnicianAssociate degree · On campus | $13,083 | $33,442 | 39% |
| 7 | SAE Institute of Technology-NashvilleTN · Private for-profit | Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianAssociate degree · On campusOffers: Audio (AAS) · Audio (BAS) · Audio Technology (Diploma) · Entertainment Business (AAS/BAS) | $17,919 | $33,379 | 54% |
| 8 | MediaTech Institute-DallasTX · Private for-profit | Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianAssociate degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Photographic and Film/Video Technology/TechnicianThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $20,000 | $36,762 | 54% |
| 9 | MediaTech Institute-HoustonTX · Private for-profit | Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianAssociate degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Photographic and Film/Video Technology/TechnicianThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $20,000 | $36,762 | 54% |
| 10 | Full Sail UniversityFL · Private for-profit | Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians, OtherAssociate degree · Online or on campusOffers: Audio Production (BS) · Music Production (BS) · Recording Arts (BS) · Live Event Production (BS) · Music Business (BS) · Film Production (BFA) · Game Design (BS) · Game Development (BS) · Computer Animation (BS) · Graphic Design (BS) · Digital Marketing (BS)What this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/TechnicianThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $25,348 | $44,156 | 57% |
Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)
Bachelor’s degree
The 10 lowest debt-to-earnings ratios of 252 bachelor’s degree programs reporting both figures.
| # | Institution | Fieldand delivery | at completion | 4 yrs after | Median federal loan debt at completion, divided by median earnings four years later. It answers a single question: how much of one year’s income do you owe on the day you finish?Below 50% is generally considered manageable. Above 100% means graduates owe more than they earn in a year, and repayment on a standard ten-year plan starts to consume a serious share of income.Debt covers federal loans only, so real ratios are often worse. Both figures are medians — half of graduates fall on the wrong side of each. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Puerto Rico-AreciboPR · Public | Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/TechnicianBachelor’s degree · On campus | $5,250 | $22,550 | 23% |
| 2 | The University of Texas at El PasoTX · Public | Music, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campus | $14,894 | $60,172 | 25% |
| 3 | Florida International UniversityFL · Public | Music, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campus | $12,722 | $50,677 | 25% |
| 4 | American UniversityDC · Private nonprofit | Recording Arts Technology/TechnicianBachelor’s degree · On campus | $19,085 | $75,461 | 25% |
| 5 | The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyTX · Public | Music, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music Performance, GeneralThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $15,175 | $59,218 | 26% |
| 6 | Utah State UniversityUT · Public | Music, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campus | $11,610 | $44,898 | 26% |
| 7 | Rhode Island CollegeRI · Public | Music Performance, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music, GeneralThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $14,133 | $51,090 | 28% |
| 8 | University of North Carolina at Chapel HillNC · Public | Music, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music Performance, GeneralMusicology and EthnomusicologyThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $18,007 | $58,127 | 31% |
| 9 | California State University-Los AngelesCA · Public | Music Performance, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music, GeneralThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $12,290 | $39,120 | 31% |
| 10 | University of UtahUT · Public | Music, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campus | $15,500 | $49,240 | 31% |
Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)
Master’s degree
The 10 lowest debt-to-earnings ratios of 68 master’s degree programs reporting both figures.
| # | Institution | Fieldand delivery | at completion | 4 yrs after | Median federal loan debt at completion, divided by median earnings four years later. It answers a single question: how much of one year’s income do you owe on the day you finish?Below 50% is generally considered manageable. Above 100% means graduates owe more than they earn in a year, and repayment on a standard ten-year plan starts to consume a serious share of income.Debt covers federal loans only, so real ratios are often worse. Both figures are medians — half of graduates fall on the wrong side of each. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Washington UniversityWA · Public | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music, GeneralVoice and OperaKeyboard InstrumentsThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $14,817 | $79,115 | 19% |
| 2 | Messiah UniversityPA · Private nonprofit | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music, GeneralMusic, OtherThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $21,472 | $77,342 | 28% |
| 3 | University of HartfordCT · Private nonprofit | Music, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music Theory and CompositionJazz/Jazz StudiesVoice and OperaWoodwind InstrumentsKeyboard InstrumentsStringed InstrumentsBrass InstrumentsMusic TechnologyPercussion InstrumentsMusic History, Literature, and TheoryConductingMusic, OtherThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $19,227 | $54,836 | 35% |
| 4 | SUNY at FredoniaNY · Public | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music Theory and CompositionThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $23,582 | $57,662 | 41% |
| 5 | University of MemphisTN · Public | Music, GeneralMaster’s degree · HybridWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music, OtherThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $24,597 | $57,099 | 43% |
| 6 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Public | Music, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music Performance, GeneralJazz/Jazz StudiesMusicology and EthnomusicologyVoice and OperaMusic Theory and CompositionMusic, OtherThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $18,500 | $39,607 | 47% |
| 7 | Michigan State UniversityMI · Public | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music PedagogyJazz/Jazz StudiesMusic Theory and CompositionConductingKeyboard InstrumentsMusic, GeneralMusicology and EthnomusicologyMusic, OtherThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $30,158 | $62,193 | 48% |
| 8 | Rice UniversityTX · Private nonprofit | Stringed InstrumentsMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Voice and OperaWoodwind InstrumentsBrass InstrumentsKeyboard InstrumentsPercussion InstrumentsMusic, GeneralMusic Theory and CompositionMusicology and EthnomusicologyThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $27,000 | $50,777 | 53% |
| 9 | Florida State UniversityFL · Public | Music Performance, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campusWhat this figure actually coversThe federal government reports debt and earnings for a whole program family rather than one degree. At this institution that family also includes:Music, GeneralMusicology and EthnomusicologyMusic Theory and CompositionVoice and OperaThe figures on this row describe all of them together. We cannot separate them, and we do not estimate. | $27,029 | $50,069 | 54% |
| 10 | Stephen F Austin State UniversityTX · Public | Music, GeneralMaster’s degree · On campus | $33,236 | $59,471 | 56% |
Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)
How we are paid: StudyCreative earns revenue when readers ask to be connected with a school. No school pays to appear in these figures, to change them, or to be left out of them. Full disclosure.
The other end of the same list
Ranking by value means some programs come last. We publish those too — the cost page names the audio and music production programs where graduates owe more than they earn in a year.