2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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.
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 the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in music education in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $18,715 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the best values for music education. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. 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. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Casper College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Students borrow a median of $12,598 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $49,729. Set against $12,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,767. Music Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $50,600 early in their careers. Set against $26,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Utah University one of 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. 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.
University Of Wyoming placed #6 among the best values for music education. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,587. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University earned the #7 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,199 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $41,011. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Adams State College came in at #8 for value in music education this year. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,824, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,523 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $54,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,757 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $50,877. That is a strong return on a $14,757 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Idaho placed #10 among the best values for music education. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Music Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,764. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,117 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #12 position for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $41,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #13 position for value in music education this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $18,666. Early-career music education graduates make about $52,665. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
Montana State University Billings landed the #14 spot for music education value this year. Set in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,280, with out-of-state students paying around $22,897. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Montana State University Billings generally make around $39,422. Set against $25,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Montana Western came in at #15 for value in music education this year. Set in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,669 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,130. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,557 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $38,151. That is a strong return on a $22,557 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #16 spot for music education value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $49,275 early in their careers. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Regis University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,140 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,773 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Regis University earn a median of $72,028 early in their careers. Set against $31,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University landed the #18 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $24,440 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $52,527. Set against $24,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Montana State University earned the #19 position for value in music education this year. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $51,732. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Colorado Christian University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,846. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $36,092. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,333. Set against $36,092 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 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.
