by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music education schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music education degrees they offer, see the list below.
York College Pennsylvania tops our 2027 list of the best value music education schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $48,624. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $54,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #3 place for music education. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $47,825. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes West Chester University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for music education. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #5 makes Marywood University one of the best values for music education. Set in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,420. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $41,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants.
Messiah College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $50,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Messiah College admits about 79% of applicants.
Elizabethtown College came in at #7 for value in music education this year. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Elizabethtown College generally make around $50,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elizabethtown College admits about 78% of applicants.
Lebanon Valley College landed the #8 spot for music education value this year. Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,080. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Music Education graduates of Lebanon Valley College earn a median of $49,263 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne came in at #9 for value in music education this year. Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Langhorne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,659. Students borrow a median of $28,212 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $40,120. That is a strong return on a $28,212 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,736. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $55,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University earned the #12 position for value in music education this year. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $47,897. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.