2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 112 schools to find the best return on investment for music education students.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Music Education Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
For return on investment in music education, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Music Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $61,829. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #2 place for music education. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,500. Music Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $51,105 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #3 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for music education. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,194. Early-career music education graduates make about $46,835. Set against $27,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Millikin University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $43,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #6 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $50,587. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Augustana College Illinois placed #7 among the best values for music education. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,145. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Indiana State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend landed the #9 spot for music education value this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,498 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,058. That is a strong return on a $26,498 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #10 position for value in music education this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $30,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,576. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ball State University came in at #11 for value in music education this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Music Education graduates carry a median of $24,998 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $49,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #12 among the best values for music education. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $25,719 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $40,005 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Oakland University placed #13 among the best values for music education. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $58,637 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $43,296 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
Youngstown State University placed #15 among the best values for music education. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,751. Early-career music education graduates make about $33,398. Set against $26,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #16 position for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $51,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #17 for value in music education this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,966. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
College Of Mount St Joseph came in at #18 for value in music education this year. College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,150. Students borrow a median of $28,273 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $69,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Mount St Joseph admits about 59% of applicants.
Central Michigan University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Music Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $52,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,003. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago landed the #21 spot for music education value this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Music Education graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $51,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for music education. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $39,613. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Christian College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,605 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $48,400. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trinity Christian College admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #24 spot for music education value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $43,128. That is a strong return on a $27,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Albion College came in at #25 for value in music education this year. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,950 in tuition and fees. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,047 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $40,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music education:
Narrow Music Education Schools by State
More Music Education Rankings
View All Music Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 112 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
