2026 Best Value Music Education Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in music education in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Music Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $73,962. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for music education. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,178 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $76,095. Set against $13,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

3

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $16,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $75,530. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

4

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $13,389. Music Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

5

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $15,275. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $55,380. Set against $15,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

6

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in music education this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Music Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $80,081 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

7

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #7 for value in music education this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Music Education graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $71,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $17,125. Music Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

9

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #9 position for value in music education this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $60,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

10

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for music education. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $20,375. Music Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

11

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University placed #11 among the best values for music education. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,802 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $59,039. That is a strong return on a $18,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

12

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #12 for value in music education this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Music Education graduates carry a median of $21,088 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,460. Set against $21,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

13

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $15,112. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Set against $15,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

14

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #14 position for value in music education this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

15

New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey City University came in at #15 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,107 in student loans. Music Education graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $47,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

16

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #16 for value in music education this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $20,750. Early-career music education graduates make about $56,374. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.

17

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University landed the #17 spot for music education value this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Music Education graduates carry a median of $14,757 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $64,232. Set against $14,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

18

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University landed the #18 spot for music education value this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Students borrow a median of $23,009 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $41,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

19

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #19 for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,842. Early-career music education graduates make about $54,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

20

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University placed #20 among the best values for music education. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

21

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #21 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

22

Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University placed #22 among the best values for music education. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,660 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,875. Music Education graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.

23

Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University landed the #23 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $68,380 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #24 among the best values for music education. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,500. Music Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $55,312 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

25

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,141. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.