by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Peru State College the best value for a degree in music education in Nebraska. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $40,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chadron State College earned it the #2 place for music education. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $24,943. Early-career music education graduates make about $46,824. Set against $24,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State College earned it the #3 place for music education. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Students borrow a median of $25,957 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $42,589. That is a strong return on a $25,957 median debt.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Music Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,786. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Nebraska Wesleyan University, which ranked #5. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $43,572. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,667. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Nebraska Wesleyan University generally make around $52,199. That is a strong return on a $27,667 median debt. Nebraska Wesleyan University admits about 80% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.