2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in Virginia
[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 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in Virginia
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
Leading the list is Old Dominion University, our #1 best value for music education in Virginia. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,000. Music Education graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $44,883 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #2. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $51,115. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Averett University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,550. Students borrow a median of $28,595 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Averett University generally make around $53,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Averett University admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Roanoke College one of the best values for music education. Set in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,068 in tuition and fees. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,940 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $33,725. That is a strong return on a $26,940 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
A rank of #5 makes Shenandoah University one of the best values for music education. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $51,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shenandoah University admits about 77% of applicants.
More Music Education Rankings
View All Music Education Rankings >
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
