2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in the Southeast Region
[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 78 schools to find the best return on investment for music education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Education Schools
For return on investment in music education, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,275 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,476. Set against $15,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $51,543. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,516. Music Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $53,524 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for music education. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $54,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Copiah Lincoln Community College earned it the #5 place for music education. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Median earnings reach $31,241 ten years out.
University Of North Florida placed #6 among the best values for music education. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $18,523. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,219. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Florida International University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $18,802. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $44,809. That is a strong return on a $18,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #8 position for value in music education this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,088 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $38,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Murray State University landed the #9 spot for music education value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #10 among the best values for music education. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $43,033. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $29,000. Music Education graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $33,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Valdosta State University placed #12 among the best values for music education. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $54,511. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #13 position for value in music education this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $20,750. Music Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $61,081 early in their careers. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned the #14 position for value in music education this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $40,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $41,444. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #16 position for value in music education this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,660. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $45,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earned the #17 position for value in music education this year. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $38,719. That is a strong return on a $26,824 median debt. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #18 position for value in music education this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Music Education graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans. Music Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,770 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University earned the #19 position for value in music education this year. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Music Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $41,160. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in music education this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,134. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #21 for value in music education this year. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $28,746. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,969. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $54,156. That is a strong return on a $25,969 median debt. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University landed the #23 spot for music education value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,375 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $39,727. Set against $30,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for music education value this year. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Music Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $41,723. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Bethel University Tennessee landed the #25 spot for music education value this year. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,712. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $28,583. Music Education graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of $62,331 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music education:
Narrow Music Education Schools by State
More Music Education Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 78 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.
