2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 157 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music education students.
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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the Southeast 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
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value music education schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Music Education graduates carry a median of $15,275 in student loans. Music Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,476 early in their careers. Set against $15,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $27,516 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $53,524. Set against $27,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for music education. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $54,079. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #5 place for music education. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $18,802. Early-career music education graduates make about $44,809. That is a strong return on a $18,802 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #6 for value in music education this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida landed the #7 spot for music education value this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $18,523. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,219. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,088 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $38,466. That is a strong return on a $21,088 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #9 position for value in music education this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $43,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Murray State University landed the #10 spot for music education value this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Music Education graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #11 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,334 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $40,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Georgia earned the #12 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Music Education graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $61,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida earned the #13 position for value in music education this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $19,677. Music Education graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #14 position for value in music education this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $29,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $33,673. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Copiah Lincoln Community College earned the #15 position for value in music education this year. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wesson. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Students borrow a median of $26,660 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $45,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Western Carolina University placed #17 among the best values for music education. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,500. Early-career music education graduates make about $41,444. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $22,868. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $45,541. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Valdosta State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $28,661. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $54,511. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University landed the #20 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,969. Music Education graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $54,156 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,969 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University placed #21 among the best values for music education. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $24,000. Music Education graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $41,160 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University landed the #22 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $30,375. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $39,727. That is a strong return on a $30,375 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for music education. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,134 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $45,716. Set against $25,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #24 among the best values for music education. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $24,673. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Old Dominion University came in at #25 for value in music education this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $44,883. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music education value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 157 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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.
