2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in New York
[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for music education students.
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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in New York
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 New York. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $61,604. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for music education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. 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. Music Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $61,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Music Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $90,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for music education. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny York College came in at #6 for value in music education this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $12,573. 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. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #7 for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #8 spot for music education value this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $47,071. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
University At Buffalo placed #9 among the best values for music education. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $50,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Fredonia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $41,456. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,432 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $45,341. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Long Island University C W Post Campus admits about 86% of applicants.
Manhattanville College came in at #12 for value in music education this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,604. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,372. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Manhattanville College generally make around $65,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Roberts Wesleyan College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Roberts Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,826. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Roberts Wesleyan College earn a median of $42,381 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roberts Wesleyan College admits about 71% of applicants.
Molloy College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,420. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Molloy College generally make around $65,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Adelphi University earned the #15 position for value in music education this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,775. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $48,402. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester landed the #16 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Music Education graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Music Education graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $53,127 early in their careers. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Nazareth College came in at #17 for value in music education this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,210. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Nazareth College generally make around $51,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Ithaca College earned the #18 position for value in music education this year. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,616. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $53,562 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ithaca College admits about 69% of applicants.
New York University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,403 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from New York University generally make around $56,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University landed the #20 spot for music education value this year. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $23,517. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $52,451. That is a strong return on a $23,517 median debt. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
Syracuse University landed the #21 spot for music education value this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,664. Early-career music education graduates make about $53,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
More Music Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
