[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) 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 331 schools to find the best return on investment for music education students.
Finding the Best Value Music Education School for You
The music education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Music Education Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Music Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among music education schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $61,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for music education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,178 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $61,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,178 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $67,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,275 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $51,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $13,213. Early-career music education graduates make about $90,725. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #6 among the best values for music education. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Florida State University earned the #8 position for value in music education this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $22,500. Early-career music education graduates make about $54,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Utah Valley University came in at #9 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $18,715 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $49,297. Set against $18,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,516. Early-career music education graduates make about $53,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #11 for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Copiah Lincoln Community College came in at #13 for value in music education this year. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wesson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Median earnings reach $31,241 ten years out.
Florida International University placed #14 among the best values for music education. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $18,802. Early-career music education graduates make about $44,809. Set against $18,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #15 position for value in music education this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,088 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $38,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $15,112 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,016. Set against $15,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Cuny York College placed #17 among the best values for music education. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Music Education graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $49,559. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Southern Utah University placed #18 among the best values for music education. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Music Education graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $45,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #19 position for value in music education this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $16,481. Early-career music education graduates make about $71,315. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Casper College placed #20 among the best values for music education. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. In-state tuition and fees average $4,410, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $12,598. Early-career music education graduates make about $49,729. That is a strong return on a $12,598 median debt.
Oakland University earned the #21 position for value in music education this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $58,637. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #22 for value in music education this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Music Education graduates carry a median of $13,680 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $42,094 early in their careers. Set against $13,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University earned the #23 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,194 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $46,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University came in at #24 for value in music education this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,767. Music Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $50,600 early in their careers. Set against $26,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jose State University landed the #25 spot for music education value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music education:
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 · 331 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 331 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).
[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
