[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 289 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music education students.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among music education schools in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $46,233. Set against $13,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $12,000. Music Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $58,894. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #4 place for music education. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $15,275. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #5. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Music Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Music Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Florida State University landed the #6 spot for music education value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $50,610. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #7 for value in music education this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Music Education graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $47,698. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Utah Valley University came in at #8 for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $18,715. 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.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #9 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #10 for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $27,516 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of North Florida ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. 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. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $18,523. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $47,219. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,088 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $33,471. Set against $21,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #13 among the best values for music education. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $18,802. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $30,578. Set against $18,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in music education this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $15,112 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,016. Set against $15,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $12,573. Music Education graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $49,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Southern Utah University placed #16 among the best values for music education. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $16,500. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,042. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University came in at #17 for value in music education this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $58,637. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #18 spot for music education value this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,680 to complete the music education program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Saint Xavier University placed #19 among the best values for music education. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $27,194 to complete the music education program here. 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. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Weber State University came in at #20 for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $50,600. That is a strong return on a $26,767 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #21 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Music Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $43,033 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #22 for value in music education this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $20,750. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $43,129. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming came in at #23 for value in music education this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. 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. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #24 for value in music education this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,500. Early-career music education graduates make about $46,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $23,420. Music Education graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music education value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 289 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 289 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.
