2027 Best Value Music Schools in Missouri
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education at a price that pays off.
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 Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
Our analysis ranked Truman State University the best value for a degree in music in Missouri. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,168. Music graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $32,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Music graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $30,321 early in their careers. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Music graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Music graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Evangel University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,876. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $42,039. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #6 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $35,939. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 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.
