2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in Montana

[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music education schools.
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2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in Montana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Education Schools
Leading the list is Montana State University Billings, our #1 best value for music education in Montana. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,280, with out-of-state students paying around $22,897. Students borrow a median of $25,465 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $39,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Montana Western is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Montana Western is a small public school located in the town of Dillon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,669, with out-of-state students paying around $20,130. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,557 in student loans. Music Education graduates of The University Of Montana Western earn a median of $38,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,557 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $51,732 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
More Music Education Rankings
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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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.