2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in New York
[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music education students.
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2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Education Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among music education schools in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $12,000. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for music education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $61,164. That is a strong return on a $13,178 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $67,212 early in their careers. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for music education. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny York College one of the best values for music education. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #6 among the best values for music education. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #7 spot for music education value this year. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,071. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny At Fredonia placed #8 among the best values for music education. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $41,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Manhattanville College earned the #9 position for value in music education this year. Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Purchase. Students from in state pay about $44,604 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,372. Early-career music education graduates make about $46,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University At Buffalo ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Music Education graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $50,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Molloy College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,790. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,420. Music Education graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $65,544 early in their careers. Set against $27,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Molloy College admits about 82% of applicants.
Roberts Wesleyan College came in at #12 for value in music education this year. Roberts Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,826. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $42,381. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roberts Wesleyan College admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Rochester earned the #13 position for value in music education this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,517. Music Education graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $53,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,517 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Nazareth College landed the #14 spot for music education value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,210. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Nazareth College generally make around $51,360. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Adelphi University placed #15 among the best values for music education. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $48,402. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Adelphi University admits about 66% of applicants.
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #16 for value in music education this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,432 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $61,547. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ithaca College landed the #17 spot for music education value this year. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,616. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $53,562. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Hofstra University placed #18 among the best values for music education. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $23,517. Music Education graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $52,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,517 median debt. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
New York University placed #19 among the best values for music education. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,403. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from New York University generally make around $56,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University landed the #20 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,664 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $53,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
More Music Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
