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2027 Best Music Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

14 Colleges in the United States
252 Music Education Degrees Awarded
$44,673 Avg Early-Career Salary

Music Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their music education programs.

College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best music education schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Music Education in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music education education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Music Education

1

University Of Nebraska Lincoln is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in music education. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 music education degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $45,786 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln

2

A rank of #2 makes Kansas State University one of the top schools for music education. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 music education students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $45,179. Students borrow a median of $22,814 to complete this degree. Get the full music education details for Kansas State University

3
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at St Olaf College, which ranked #3. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. St Olaf College graduates 84% of students within six years. St Olaf College awarded about 18 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $47,807 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music education from St Olaf College

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the top schools for music education. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 24 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $52,307. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in music education from University Of Northern Iowa

5

Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at South Dakota State University, which ranked #5. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. South Dakota State University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 music education students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $45,625 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in music education from South Dakota State University

6
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #6 spot for music education this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 25 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $40,495 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,174. Read more about the music education program at University Of Kansas

7

Concordia College At Moorhead placed #7 among the best music education schools. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 16 music education degrees were awarded at Concordia College At Moorhead in the most recent year. Music Education graduates of Concordia College At Moorhead earn a median of $48,164 early in their careers. Concordia College At Moorhead graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the music education program at Concordia College At Moorhead

8

Fort Hays State University placed #8 among the best music education schools. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Fort Hays State University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 music education students who graduated with this degree at Fort Hays State University in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $41,086 early in their careers. Fort Hays State University graduates carry a median of $23,082 in student loans. Get the full music education details for Fort Hays State University

9
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa earned the #9 position for music education this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 13 music education degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from University Of Iowa earn around $46,908 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in music education from University Of Iowa

10

Wichita State University landed the #10 spot for music education this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 25 music education degrees were awarded at Wichita State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from Wichita State University earn around $47,121 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,145. More information about a degree in music education from Wichita State University

11
Wartburg College crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 15 music education degrees were awarded at Wartburg College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $45,677. Wartburg College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full music education program report for Wartburg College

12

Southeast Missouri State University placed #12 among the best music education schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Southeast Missouri State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Southeast Missouri State University awarded about 15 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $34,206. Students borrow a median of $21,748 to complete this degree. See the full music education program report for Southeast Missouri State University

13

Northern State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Northern State University awarded about 15 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. Northern State University graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Read more about the music education program at Northern State University

14

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 15 music education degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $39,237. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $30,294 in student loans. See the full music education program report for Missouri State University Springfield

View All Music Education Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 14 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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