2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in Indiana

[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music education schools.
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 Indiana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Education Schools
Leading the list is Indiana University South Bend, our #1 best value for music education in Indiana. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,498. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,058. Set against $26,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Music Education graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $43,576. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana State University earned it the #3 place for music education. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Bloomington earned it the #4 place for music education. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $50,587. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Ball State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $24,998. Music Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $49,745 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Evansville ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,172 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $59,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Valparaiso University landed the #7 spot for music education value this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $46,750. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University earned the #8 position for value in music education this year. Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $32,352. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $42,099. That is a strong return on a $24,875 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor University earned the #9 position for value in music education this year. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $44,028. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Butler University landed the #10 spot for music education value this year. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,560. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,351. Music Education graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,351 median debt. Butler University admits about 85% of applicants.
More Music Education Rankings
View All Music Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.