College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Music Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

75 Ranked Colleges
888 Degrees Awarded
$9,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 4,761 people earned their degree in music education, making the major the 151st most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 888 music education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 75 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in music education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great music education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the music education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Music Teacher Education Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Music Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 75 schools in the Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music teacher education degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $245 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Music Education at Northwestern

2

Out of the 75 schools in the Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s music teacher education degrees to qualified students.

UIUC also made our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $4,858 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Music Education at UIUC

3
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

Out of the 75 schools in the Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #3 spot on the list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music teacher education degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also took the #5 spot in our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $5,752 for Great Lakes Region Music Teacher Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Music Education at IU Bloomington

4

Out of the 75 schools in the Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 14 ’s music teacher education degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also took the #13 spot in our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Madison is $3,981 for Great Lakes Region Music Teacher Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music Education at University of Wisconsin - Madison

5

Out of the 75 schools in the Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $2,670 for Great Lakes Region Music Teacher Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend U-M.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Music Education Report

6
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school handed out 22 degrees to qualified ’s music teacher education students in 2020-2021.

Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $8,273 for Great Lakes Region Music Teacher Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music Education at Ball State University

7

With a ranking of #7, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music teacher education degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $7,068 for Great Lakes Region Music Teacher Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Music Education at Ohio State University - Main Campus

8
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 40 diplomas to qualified ’s music teacher education students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Central Michigan has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $10,805 for Great Lakes Region Music Teacher Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Music Education at Central Michigan

9

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is located in River Falls, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s music teacher education degrees to qualified students.

UW - River Falls also took the #18 spot in our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,438 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music Education at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

10

Indiana University - South Bend came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. South Bend, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music teacher education degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - South Bend is $5,504 for Great Lakes Region Music Teacher Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Music Education at Indiana University - South Bend

11
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music teacher education degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WMU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,112 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Michigan University.

Read more about Music Education at Western Michigan University

12

With a ranking of #12, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music teacher education degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford also took the #6 spot in our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,956 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Music Education at Miami University - Oxford

13
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music teacher education degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland University is $8,949 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music Education at Oakland

14
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fort Wayne, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music teacher education degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,414 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend PFW.

Full Purdue University Fort Wayne Music Education Report

15
Northern Michigan University crest
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s music teacher education degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $8,958 for Great Lakes Region Music Teacher Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northern Michigan University.

Read full report on Music Education at Northern Michigan University

16
Illinois State crest
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 39 ’s music teacher education degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $13,783 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Music Education at Illinois State University

17

Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school situated in Youngstown, Ohio. It awarded 11 ’s music teacher education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $9,175 for Great Lakes Region Music Teacher Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Youngstown State University Music Education Report

18
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana

Valparaiso University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Valparaiso, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s music teacher education students in 2020-2021.

Valpo also made our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Valparaiso University is $19,548 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Music Education at Valpo

19
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

With a ranking of #19, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Eastern Michigan is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Eastern Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $12,465 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Music Education at Eastern Michigan

20

With a ranking of #20, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 28 degrees to qualified ’s music teacher education students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $7,903 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Music Education at UW - Stevens Point

21
Hope crest
Hope College
Holland, Michigan

Hope College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Holland, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music teacher education degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

Hope not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hope is $17,553 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music Education at Hope College

22

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW Oshkosh is a fairly large school located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that handed out 3 ’s music teacher education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,499 for Great Lakes Region Music Teacher Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.

Read more about Music Education at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

23
SXU crest
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music teacher education degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SXU is $9,716 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Music Education at SXU

24

University of Michigan - Flint came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Flint, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music teacher education degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Flint is $7,797 for great lakes region music teacher education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Music Education at University of Michigan - Flint

25

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Teacher Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Kent State is a public institution located in Kent, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 76 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Kent State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,793 for Great Lakes Region Music Teacher Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kent State.

Read more about Music Education at Kent State

Switch to a Similar Major

Agricultural Teacher Education
Best Value Colleges for Agricultural Teacher Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Business and Innovation/Entrepreneurship Teacher Education
Best Value Colleges for Business and Innovation/Entrepreneurship Teacher Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

English & Language Arts Education
Best Value Colleges for English & Language Arts Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Health Education
Best Value Colleges for Health Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Technology Education
Best Value Colleges for Technology Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Mathematics Education
Best Value Colleges for Mathematics Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Reading Teacher Education
Best Value Colleges for Reading Teacher Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Social Science Teacher Education
Best Value Colleges for Social Science Teacher Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Technical Teacher Education
Best Value Colleges for Technical Teacher Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Computer Teacher Education
Best Value Colleges for Computer Teacher Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Chemistry Education
Best Value Colleges for Chemistry Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

French Language Teacher Education
Best Value Colleges for French Language Teacher Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Health Occupations Teacher Education
Best Value Colleges for Health Occupations Teacher Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Physics Education
Best Value Colleges for Physics Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Speech Teacher Education
Best Value Colleges for Speech Teacher Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Environmental Education
Best Value Colleges for Environmental Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Art Education
Best Value Colleges for Art Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Driver & Safety Teacher Education
Best Value Colleges for Driver & Safety Teacher Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Modern Language Education
Best Value Colleges for Modern Language Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Family & Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education
Best Value Colleges for Family & Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Distributive Education
Best Value Colleges for Distributive Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Physical Education Teaching & Coaching
Best Value Colleges for Physical Education Teaching & Coaching (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Science Education
Best Value Colleges for Science Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Social Studies Education
Best Value Colleges for Social Studies Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Trade & Industrial Teacher Education
Best Value Colleges for Trade & Industrial Teacher Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Biology Education
Best Value Colleges for Biology Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Drama & Dance Education
Best Value Colleges for Drama & Dance Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

German Language Teacher Education
Best Value Colleges for German Language Teacher Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

History Education
Best Value Colleges for History Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Spanish Education
Best Value Colleges for Spanish Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist
Best Value Colleges for School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Other Teacher Education & Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Best Value Colleges for Other Teacher Education & Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options