2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 65 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 The Plains States 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
Our analysis ranked Fort Hays State University the best value for a degree in music education in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $23,082. Music Education graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $41,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Chadron State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #2 spot this year. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $24,943. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $46,824. That is a strong return on a $24,943 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Valley City State University one of the best values for music education. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $24,394. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $51,170. That is a strong return on a $24,394 median debt. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #4 place for music education. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,145 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $47,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #5 place for music education. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Peru State College landed the #6 spot for music education value this year. Peru State College is a small public school located in the rural area of Peru. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $40,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Charles Community College landed the #7 spot for music education value this year. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Music Education graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,228. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
Minot State University landed the #8 spot for music education value this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Music Education graduates carry a median of $28,324 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $44,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Music Education graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Dickinson State University placed #10 among the best values for music education. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,266. Early-career music education graduates make about $44,841. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. The acceptance rate is 37%.
University Of Central Missouri placed #11 among the best values for music education. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $25,741 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $37,460. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
College Of The Ozarks ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Music Education graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,042 early in their careers. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
Bemidji State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,389 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,668. Set against $23,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $30,795. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,625. That is a strong return on a $30,795 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College earned the #15 position for value in music education this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Students borrow a median of $25,957 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $42,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,957 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #16 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Music Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $52,307 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pittsburg State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Music Education graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,003. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Washburn University placed #18 among the best values for music education. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,175. Early-career music education graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Emporia State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $52,694 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #20 spot for music education value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,170. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #21 among the best values for music education. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $48,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Northern State University came in at #22 for value in music education this year. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,143 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,748 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $34,206 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #24 position for value in music education this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $45,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Winona State University earned the #25 position for value in music education this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,762 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $44,002. Set against $26,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for music education this year:
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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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 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.
