2027 Best Value Music Schools in Wisconsin
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music students.
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2027 Best Value Music Schools in Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $31,134. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee, which ranked #2. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for music graduates is $25,750. Music graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $27,478 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $26,637 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $43,764. Set against $26,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for music graduates is $21,813. Early-career music graduates make about $31,552. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Lawrence University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Appleton, Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,982 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music graduates is $19,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lawrence University admits about 64% of applicants.
Carthage College came in at #6 for value in music this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $38,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Carthage College generally make around $24,273. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
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Notes and References
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
