2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in New Jersey
[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 5 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 New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Education Schools
Kean University tops our 2027 list of the best value music education schools in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $29,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $40,929. That is a strong return on a $29,625 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Montclair State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $44,369. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes New Jersey City University one of the best values for music education. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $22,107. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $47,083. Set against $22,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Rowan University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $56,365. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rider University earned it the #5 place for music education. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Rider University earn a median of $52,940 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
More Music Education Rankings
View All Music Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
