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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

16 Colleges in the United States
$20,906 Avg Student Debt
$53,014 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Music Education Badge [Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music education schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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

1

Utah Valley University tops our 2026 list of the best value music education schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $18,715 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $49,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the best values for music education. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Music Education graduates carry a median of $13,680 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $42,094. That is a strong return on a $13,680 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

3
Casper College crest
Casper College
Casper, WY

Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Casper College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,410, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $12,598. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Casper College generally make around $49,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wyoming earned it the #4 place for music education. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $18,500. Music Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

5

A rank of #5 makes Southern Utah University one of the best values for music education. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $45,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Weber State University placed #6 among the best values for music education. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $50,600 early in their careers. Set against $26,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Utah State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $14,757 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $50,877. Set against $14,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.

8

University Of Idaho came in at #8 for value in music education this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $45,764. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

9

Adams State College earned the #9 position for value in music education this year. Located in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,824, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. Students borrow a median of $25,523 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $54,569. That is a strong return on a $25,523 median debt.

10

Brigham Young University Provo ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $9,117. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $47,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.

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11

Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #11 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $28,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $41,954. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

12

Montana State University Billings earned the #12 position for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,465 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $39,422. That is a strong return on a $25,465 median debt.

13

The University Of Montana Western placed #13 among the best values for music education. Set in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,669, with out-of-state students paying around $20,130. Students borrow a median of $22,557 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of The University Of Montana Western earn a median of $38,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,557 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

14

Idaho State University earned the #14 position for value in music education this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $23,199 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $41,011. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

University Of Northern Colorado earned the #15 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $23,125. Music Education graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $49,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Boise State University landed the #16 spot for music education value this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Music Education graduates carry a median of $24,440 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $52,527. That is a strong return on a $24,440 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

17

Montana State University earned the #17 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $51,732. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.

18

University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $56,935 early in their careers. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 23 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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