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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in Kentucky

5 Colleges in the United States
$25,152 Avg Student Debt
$48,341 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Music Education Badge [Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for music education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in Kentucky

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
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Our analysis ranked Northern Kentucky University the best value for a degree in music education in Kentucky. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $29,000. Music Education graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $33,673 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #2 place for music education. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. 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.

3
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #3 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $30,375 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $39,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

4

University Of The Cumberlands came in at #4 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. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kentucky earned it the #5 place for music education. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $42,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

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6

University Of Louisville landed the #6 spot for music education value this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $56,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

7
Campbellsville University crest
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY

Campbellsville University landed the #7 spot for music education value this year. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $24,148. Music Education graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $43,474 early in their careers. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

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 · 12 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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