2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in Wisconsin

[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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in Wisconsin
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Music Education Schools
University Of Wisconsin River Falls tops our 2027 list of the best value music education schools in Wisconsin. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,296. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned it the #2 place for music education. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Music Education graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $51,022. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,719 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $40,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for music education. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $45,966. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Music Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $43,128 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $52,404. Set against $26,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Ripon College placed #7 among the best values for music education. Located in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,900. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,973 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Ripon College generally make around $35,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Viterbo University placed #8 among the best values for music education. Located in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,250. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $29,107. Early-career music education graduates make about $57,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Norbert College landed the #9 spot for music education value this year. Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of De Pere. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,580. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $24,889. Music Education graduates of Saint Norbert College earn a median of $43,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,889 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Concordia University Wisconsin earned the #10 position for value in music education this year. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $49,688. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
More Music Education Rankings
View All Music Education Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.