2026 Best Value Music Education Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for music education in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Music Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $61,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $13,178. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $61,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

3

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $16,000. Music Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $67,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for music education. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,275 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $51,476. Set against $15,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

6

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in music education this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $13,213. Music Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $90,725 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

7

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #7 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $54,079. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

8

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for music education. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Music Education graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #9 among the best values for music education. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $16,481. Early-career music education graduates make about $71,315. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

11

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,715 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $49,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,715 median debt.

12

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #12 among the best values for music education. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $27,516 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $53,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

13

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming landed the #13 spot for music education value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $18,500. Music Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,587 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

14

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #14 among the best values for music education. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

15

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for music education value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Music Education graduates carry a median of $15,112 in student loans. Music Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,016 early in their careers. Set against $15,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

16

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University placed #16 among the best values for music education. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Music Education graduates carry a median of $18,802 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $44,809 early in their careers. Set against $18,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida placed #17 among the best values for music education. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Music Education graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $47,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

18

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #18 spot for music education value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $20,015. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #19 for value in music education this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,088. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $38,466. Set against $21,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

20

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College came in at #20 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Music Education graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $49,559. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.

21

Casper College
Casper, WY

Casper College earned the #21 position for value in music education this year. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. Students from in state pay about $4,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Music Education graduates carry a median of $12,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Casper College generally make around $49,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #22 among the best values for music education. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

23

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #23 spot for music education value this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $13,680. Early-career music education graduates make about $42,094. Set against $13,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

24

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,842. Music Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $54,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

25

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University came in at #25 for value in music education this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,042. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.