2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the New England Region

1

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

For return on investment in music education, no school beat Rhode Island College this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,659 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $51,124. Set against $29,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.

2

Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $60,212. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

3

Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA

Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Bridgewater State University, which ranked #3. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Music Education graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $48,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.

4

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern Maine one of the best values for music education. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $34,843. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

5

University Of Maine
Orono, ME

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maine earned it the #5 place for music education. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, compared with $36,756 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 $42,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.

6

Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, CT

Western Connecticut State University earned the #6 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,401 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,901. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $39,696. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

7

Keene State College
Keene, NH

Keene State College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. Students from in state pay about $14,784 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $42,492. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont came in at #8 for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $41,099. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut earned the #9 position for value in music education this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $25,777. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

10

Plymouth State University
Plymouth, NH

Plymouth State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $46,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.

11

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #11 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,125. Music Education graduates of Boston University earn a median of $67,277 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.

12

Gordon College
Wenham, MA

Gordon College landed the #12 spot for music education value this year. Set in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,372 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Gordon College generally make around $59,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford earned the #13 position for value in music education this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,075. Music Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Music Education graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $58,091 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

14

Longy School Of Music Of Bard College
Cambridge, MA

Longy School Of Music Of Bard College came in at #14 for value in music education this year. Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,275. Early-career music education graduates make about $30,660.

15

Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT

Sacred Heart University came in at #15 for value in music education this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,404 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Sacred Heart University generally make around $62,864. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.

16

Providence College
Providence, RI

Providence College came in at #16 for value in music education this year. Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,550. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,833. Music Education graduates of Providence College earn a median of $57,343 early in their careers. Set against $26,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Providence College admits about 51% of applicants.

17

Berklee College Of Music
Boston, MA

Berklee College Of Music placed #17 among the best values for music education. Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $52,040. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,138 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $26,374. That is a strong return on a $26,138 median debt. Berklee College Of Music admits about 44% of applicants.