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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in Wisconsin

9 Colleges in the United States
$26,397 Avg Student Debt
$57,131 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Music Education Badge [Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for music education students.

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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in Wisconsin

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Music Education Schools

1

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point tops our 2026 list of the best value music education schools in Wisconsin. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $25,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #2 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. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,296. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $51,022. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for music education. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Music Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $45,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. 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. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

6
Ripon College crest
Ripon College
Ripon, WI

Ripon College landed the #6 spot for music education value this year. Located in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,900. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,973. Early-career music education graduates make about $35,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ripon College admits about 80% of applicants.

7
Lakeland College crest
Lakeland College
Plymouth, WI

Lakeland College placed #7 among the best values for music education. Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Plymouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,396. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $29,722. Music Education graduates of Lakeland College earn a median of $52,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,722 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University came in at #8 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,250. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $29,107. Early-career music education graduates make about $57,374. Set against $29,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

9
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Carroll University earned the #9 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,904 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $52,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.

10
Lawrence University crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University earned the #10 position for value in music education this year. Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Appleton. In-state tuition and fees average $56,982. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $15,699. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,789 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lawrence University admits about 64% of applicants.

11

Saint Norbert College placed #11 among the best values for music education. Located in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,580. Music Education graduates carry a median of $24,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Saint Norbert College generally make around $43,829. That is a strong return on a $24,889 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12

Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #12 spot for music education value this year. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $28,500. Music Education graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $49,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Wisconsin admits about 78% of applicants.

View All Music Education Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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