2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Leading the list is Arizona State University, our #1 best value for music education in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $54,028. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Music Education graduates carry a median of $15,112 in student loans. Music Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,016 early in their careers. Set against $15,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

3

Odessa College
Odessa, TX

Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Odessa College, which ranked #3. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $9,087. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.

4

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

A rank of #4 makes Southeastern Oklahoma State University one of the best values for music education. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

5

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Texas earned it the #5 place for music education. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Music Education graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Music Education graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $56,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

6

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University placed #6 among the best values for music education. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,009 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $49,856. Set against $22,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

7

Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Alva, OK

Northwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #7 for value in music education this year. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alva. In-state tuition and fees average $5,970, compared with $11,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,438 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $46,196 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,438 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

8

Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University earned the #8 position for value in music education this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,025. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

9

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for music education value this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Music Education graduates carry a median of $23,102 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $51,097 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,102 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.

10

Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Weatherford, OK

Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #10 among the best values for music education. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, compared with $8,499 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $43,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,340. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,205. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #12 position for value in music education this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $47,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

13

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #13 for value in music education this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $23,659. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $58,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

14

Southern Nazarene University
Bethany, OK

Southern Nazarene University landed the #14 spot for music education value this year. Set in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,190. Music Education graduates carry a median of $29,684 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $53,851. That is a strong return on a $29,684 median debt.

15

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #15 spot for music education value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Music Education graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $36,682. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

16

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #16 spot for music education value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,275. Early-career music education graduates make about $54,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

17

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,741. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

18

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University earned the #18 position for value in music education this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $53,147 early in their careers. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

19

West Texas A And M University
Canyon, TX

West Texas A And M University came in at #19 for value in music education this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $22,333. Early-career music education graduates make about $43,515. Set against $22,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.

20

Hardin Simmons University
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University landed the #20 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,960. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,709. Early-career music education graduates make about $48,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hardin Simmons University admits about 90% of applicants.

21

Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City University placed #21 among the best values for music education. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,754. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of $34,321 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

22

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University came in at #22 for value in music education this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $50,370. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

23

Texas Lutheran University
Seguin, TX

Texas Lutheran University placed #23 among the best values for music education. Texas Lutheran University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Seguin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,230. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Texas Lutheran University generally make around $48,266. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Texas Lutheran University admits about 96% of applicants.

24

Oklahoma Baptist University
Shawnee, OK

Oklahoma Baptist University placed #24 among the best values for music education. Located in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,570. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University earn a median of $44,135 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.

25

Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University earned the #25 position for value in music education this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $51,360. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.