by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music education schools.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in music education in Utah. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Music Education graduates carry a median of $18,715 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $49,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #2 place for music education. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $50,600 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Utah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Utah State University, which ranked #4. 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, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $14,757 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $50,877. That is a strong return on a $14,757 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Brigham Young University Provo, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $9,117. Music Education graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $47,153 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,117 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
