by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music education students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.
New Jersey City University tops our 2026 list of the best value music education schools in New Jersey. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,107 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,083. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $29,625. 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%.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #3. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $55,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rowan University earned it the #4 place for music education. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Music Education graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $56,365 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rider University earned it the #5 place for music education. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $52,940. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
