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Featured Music Education Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in South Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Music Education Schools
Coastal Carolina University earned the #1 spot for value among music education schools in South Carolina. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $49,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Carolina State University earned it the #2 place for music education. South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orangeburg. Students from in state pay about $11,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,750. Music Education graduates carry a median of $31,841 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $39,914. That is a strong return on a $31,841 median debt. South Carolina State University admits about 83% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Bob Jones University one of the best values for music education. Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $22,892. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $17,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $36,109. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt.
North Greenville University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,800. Music Education graduates carry a median of $19,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from North Greenville University generally make around $43,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Greenville University admits about 67% of applicants.
Charleston Southern University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,520. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,323 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $40,612. Set against $27,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Charleston Southern University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #6 position for value in music education this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $23,780. Early-career music education graduates make about $44,328. That is a strong return on a $23,780 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Sc landed the #7 spot for music education value this year. Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,970. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $46,485. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
[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.
