2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 65 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music education students.
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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among music education schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Music Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $61,604. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for music education. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Music Education graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $61,164. Set against $13,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Music Education graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $67,212. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #5 place for music education. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $90,725. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
New Jersey City University landed the #6 spot for music education value this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. 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. Set against $22,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #7 for value in music education this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $20,836. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #8 spot for music education value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University came in at #9 for value in music education this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $55,719. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kean University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $29,625 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $40,929. That is a strong return on a $29,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Cuny York College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $49,559 early in their careers. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Towson University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Towson University earn a median of $56,200 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware earned the #13 position for value in music education this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,298. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $49,041. Set against $26,298 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #14 spot for music education value this year. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,071. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #15 among the best values for music education. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Suny At Fredonia came in at #16 for value in music education this year. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $41,456. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University At Buffalo placed #17 among the best values for music education. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $50,041. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $48,624. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #19 among the best values for music education. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $44,294. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University earned the #20 position for value in music education this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $56,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $47,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #22 position for value in music education this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Geneva College placed #23 among the best values for music education. Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beaver Falls. Students from in state pay about $33,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,396 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Geneva College earn a median of $46,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marywood University came in at #24 for value in music education this year. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Students from in state pay about $41,420 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $41,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #25 position for value in music education this year. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. Students from in state pay about $42,432 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $45,341 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Music Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for music education this year:
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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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
