2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in music education in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Music Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

2

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Millikin University earned it the #2 place for music education. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $43,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.

3

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Saint Xavier University, which ranked #3. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,194 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $46,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,500. Early-career music education graduates make about $51,105. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

5

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

A rank of #5 makes Augustana College Illinois one of 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. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $45,145 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

6

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago landed the #6 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. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $51,796. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.

7

Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College earned the #7 position for value in music education this year. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,605. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $48,400 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trinity Christian College admits about 85% of applicants.

8

Vandercook College Of Music
Chicago, IL

Vandercook College Of Music landed the #8 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Vandercook College Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Vandercook College Of Music generally make around $43,100. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Vandercook College Of Music admits about 90% of applicants.

9

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University placed #9 among the best values for music education. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $24,149 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $50,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

10

North Park University
Chicago, IL

North Park University came in at #10 for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

11

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College earned the #11 position for value in music education this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $46,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.

12

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #12 spot for music education value this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $51,475. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.

13

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University placed #13 among the best values for music education. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $42,917. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

14

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #14 among the best values for music education. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,910 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $52,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,910 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.