2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in Kansas
[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music education schools.
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2027 Best Value Music Education Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Education Schools
Leading the list is Fort Hays State University, our #1 best value for music education in Kansas. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $23,082 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $41,086. Set against $23,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for music education. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,145 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,121. Set against $22,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washburn University earned it the #3 place for music education. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,175. Music Education graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt.
Pittsburg State University came in at #4 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $24,125. Early-career music education graduates make about $50,003. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Emporia State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $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 Kansas earned the #6 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $40,495 early in their careers. Set against $24,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #7 spot for music education value this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,814 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $45,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,814 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Sterling College Kansas ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the rural area of Sterling, Sterling College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,700. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,250. Early-career music education graduates make about $30,086. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Bethany College Kansas placed #9 among the best values for music education. Located in the rural area of Lindsborg, Bethany College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,000. Students borrow a median of $24,438 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $29,106. That is a strong return on a $24,438 median debt. Bethany College Kansas admits about 56% of applicants.
Ottawa University Ottawa placed #10 among the best values for music education. Located in the town of Ottawa, Ottawa University Ottawa is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,880. Students borrow a median of $30,125 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Ottawa University Ottawa earn a median of $49,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Midamerica Nazarene University placed #11 among the best values for music education. Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Olathe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,174. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Midamerica Nazarene University generally make around $63,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
More Music Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
