2027 Best Value Music Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Music Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Music Schools
Our analysis ranked Valley City State University the best value for a degree in music in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Typical student debt for music graduates is $25,074. Early-career music graduates make about $48,241. That is a strong return on a $25,074 median debt. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #2 place for music. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,089. Music graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for music. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $30,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #6 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $20,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Pittsburg State University came in at #7 for value in music this year. 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. Typical student debt for music graduates is $22,669. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,003. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #8 for value in music this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Music graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $32,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for music. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney earned the #10 position for value in music this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Typical student debt for music graduates is $22,173. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $46,744. That is a strong return on a $22,173 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #11 spot for music value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $28,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for music graduates is $25,373. Early-career music graduates make about $48,098. Set against $25,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Iowa State University earned the #13 position for value in music this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,496 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $54,204 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,608. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $31,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #15 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $46,503. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,427. Early-career music graduates make about $31,780. That is a strong return on a $24,427 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University placed #17 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,546. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,543. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University came in at #18 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Music graduates carry a median of $24,876 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $42,039. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $35,939 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Dakota placed #20 among the best values for music. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,322. Early-career music graduates make about $46,183. Set against $26,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Iowa landed the #21 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,783. Music graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $41,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,783 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Gustavus Adolphus College placed #22 among the best values for music. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,197. Music graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $44,396 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,197 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Luther College placed #23 among the best values for music. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,120 in tuition and fees. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Luther College earn a median of $45,367 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Luther College admits about 72% of applicants.
St Olaf College placed #24 among the best values for music. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Music graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $24,732. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
Concordia College At Moorhead ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,170. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Early-career music graduates make about $44,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia College At Moorhead admits about 63% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Music Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music value ranking:
Narrow Music Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
