2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 108 schools to find the best return on investment for music education students.
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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in the The Plains States 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
For return on investment in music education, no school beat St Charles Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $23,168. Music Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Washburn University one of the best values for music education. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the best values for music education. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Chadron State College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $24,943. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $46,824. That is a strong return on a $24,943 median debt.
Fort Hays State University placed #6 among the best values for music education. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $23,082 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $41,086. Set against $23,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Minot State University landed the #7 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Music Education graduates carry a median of $28,324 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Valley City State University came in at #8 for value in music education this year. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $24,394. Music Education graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $51,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Peru State College came in at #9 for value in music education this year. Located in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,433 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $40,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $52,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Wichita State University landed the #11 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Music Education graduates carry a median of $22,145 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Ozarks landed the #12 spot for music education value this year. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Early-career music education graduates make about $37,042. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Wayne State College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,957 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $42,589 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for music education value this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $54,076. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Emporia State University came in at #15 for value in music education this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $22,500. Early-career music education graduates make about $52,694. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #16 position for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,748 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $34,206. That is a strong return on a $21,748 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $30,795. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $43,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Missouri Western State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $24,704 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $33,183. Set against $24,704 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dickinson State University placed #19 among the best values for music education. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,118. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $44,841. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 37%.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $37,460. Set against $25,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,221. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $38,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #22 spot for music education value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $23,000. Music Education graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $45,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #23 for value in music education this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #24 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Music Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $43,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University came in at #25 for value in music education this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $23,389. Music Education graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $45,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,389 median debt. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music education:
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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 · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
