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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Music Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools

224 Colleges in the United States
$24,911 Avg Student Debt
$55,133 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Music Education Bachelor's Degree Badge [Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 577 schools to find the best return on investment for music education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Music Education Schools

1
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among music education schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $49,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for music education. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $13,178. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $46,233. That is a strong return on a $13,178 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Queens College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, 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 $58,894 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

4
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $15,275. Music Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $47,572 early in their careers. Set against $15,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

5
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #5 spot this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $50,610. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

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University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $47,698 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.

7

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #7 for value in music education this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

8

Utah Valley University came in at #8 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Music Education graduates carry a median of $18,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $49,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Florida Atlantic University landed the #9 spot for music education value this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Music Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $53,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,516 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

10

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in music education this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Music Education graduates carry a median of $15,112 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

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11

University Of Wyoming landed the #11 spot for music education value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Music Education graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #12 spot for music education value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

13

University Of Central Florida landed the #13 spot for music education value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Music Education graduates carry a median of $21,088 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $33,471. That is a strong return on a $21,088 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

14

Florida International University earned the #14 position for value in music education this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Music Education graduates carry a median of $18,802 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $30,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of North Florida earned the #15 position for value in music education this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $18,523. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #16 for value in music education this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Music Education graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $50,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.

17
Cuny York College crest
Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College came in at #17 for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the music education program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 64%.

18

Arizona State University earned the #18 position for value in music education this year. 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, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $54,028. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #19 for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $71,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

20

Brigham Young University Idaho placed #20 among the best values for music education. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,680 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $42,094. Set against $13,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

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21

Southern Utah University landed the #21 spot for music education value this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $16,500. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,042. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.

22

University Of Georgia came in at #22 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

23

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #23 among the best values for music education. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,033. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

24

Eastern Washington University earned the #24 position for value in music education this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,009 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $41,914 early in their careers. Set against $23,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

25

Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #25 spot for music education value this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $51,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ
35
36
37
38
39
40
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
49
50

Other Music Education Degree Levels

Explore the best-value music education schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Music Education
Associate's Degrees in Music Education
Master's Degrees in Music Education
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View All Music Education Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 577 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 224 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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