2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in the Southwest 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.
College Factual analyzed 30 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 the Southwest Region
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
For return on investment in music education, no school beat New Mexico State University Main Campus this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $15,112 in student loans. Music Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $22,009. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $49,856. That is a strong return on a $22,009 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #3 place for music education. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $54,028. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,970 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,664. Music Education graduates carry a median of $21,542 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $44,406 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University placed #6 among the best values for music education. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $47,025. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #7 for value in music education this year. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,302. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
University Of North Texas earned the #8 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,817. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $56,320. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Music Education graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $36,682 early in their careers. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Cameron University landed the #10 spot for music education value this year. Cameron University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lawton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,095, with out-of-state students paying around $16,515. Music Education graduates carry a median of $23,967 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Cameron University earn a median of $43,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in music education this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $23,102. Music Education graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $51,097 early in their careers. Set against $23,102 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #12 for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,205. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #13 spot for music education value this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $23,659. Music Education graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $58,110 early in their careers. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Tech University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $53,147. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Langston University earned the #15 position for value in music education this year. Located in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,616. Music Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $26,222. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Texas A And M University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $22,333. Music Education graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. Set against $22,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #17 spot for music education value this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,741. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #18 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Music Education graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Music Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $54,149 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Hardin Simmons University came in at #19 for value in music education this year. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $32,960. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,709. Music Education graduates of Hardin Simmons University earn a median of $48,334 early in their careers. Set against $27,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hardin Simmons University admits about 90% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,601. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $58,604. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $50,370. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma City University earned the #22 position for value in music education this year. Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $34,754 in tuition and fees. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $34,321. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Howard Payne University landed the #23 spot for music education value this year. Located in the town of Brownwood, Howard Payne University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,982. Music Education graduates carry a median of $24,467 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Howard Payne University earn a median of $45,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Lutheran University placed #24 among the best values for music education. Set in the town of Seguin, Texas Lutheran University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,230 in tuition and fees. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Texas Lutheran University earn a median of $48,266 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Lutheran University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,300 in tuition and fees. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Education graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $52,133 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 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
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
