2026 Best Value Music Education Schools
[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 577 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music education students.
What’s on this page:
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. To help, we created our Best Value Music Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
Customizing Your List
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.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Education Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for music education in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Music Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. 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%.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $13,178. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $61,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $16,000. Music Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $67,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for music education. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,275 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $51,476. Set against $15,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in music education this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $13,213. Music Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $90,725 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #7 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $54,079. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for music education. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Music Education graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #9 among the best values for music education. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $16,481. Early-career music education graduates make about $71,315. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,715 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $49,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,715 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University placed #12 among the best values for music education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $27,516 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $53,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Wyoming landed the #13 spot for music education value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $18,500. Music Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,587 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #14 among the best values for music education. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for music education value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Music Education graduates carry a median of $15,112 in student loans. Music Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,016 early in their careers. Set against $15,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #16 among the best values for music education. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Music Education graduates carry a median of $18,802 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $44,809 early in their careers. Set against $18,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida placed #17 among the best values for music education. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Music Education graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $47,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #18 spot for music education value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $20,015. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #19 for value in music education this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,088. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $38,466. Set against $21,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College came in at #20 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Casper College earned the #21 position for value in music education this year. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. Students from in state pay about $4,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Music Education graduates carry a median of $12,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Casper College generally make around $49,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jose State University placed #22 among the best values for music education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #23 spot for music education value this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $13,680. Early-career music education graduates make about $42,094. Set against $13,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,842. Music Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $54,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University came in at #25 for value in music education this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,042. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music education:
Narrow Music Education Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Music Education is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 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 · 577 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 237 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
