2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in Minnesota

1

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University tops our 2026 list of the best value music education schools in Minnesota. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Music Education graduates carry a median of $30,795 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $43,279 early in their careers. Set against $30,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

2

Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN

A rank of #2 makes Bemidji State University one of the best values for music education. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Music Education graduates carry a median of $23,389 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.

3

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for music education. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $43,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

4

Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN

Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at Southwest Minnesota State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Music Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 62%.

5

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Music Education graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $54,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

6

Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #6 spot for music education value this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Music Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $44,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

7

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University placed #7 among the best values for music education. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,762. Early-career music education graduates make about $44,002. Set against $26,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $41,952. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

9

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #9 position for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,082 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $53,463. That is a strong return on a $26,082 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

10

Martin Luther College
New Ulm, MN

Martin Luther College came in at #10 for value in music education this year. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,120. Music Education graduates carry a median of $20,224 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Martin Luther College generally make around $31,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

11

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College placed #11 among the best values for music education. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,807. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

12

The College Of Saint Scholastica
Duluth, MN

The College Of Saint Scholastica landed the #12 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,778. Students borrow a median of $26,755 to complete the music education program here. Early-career music education graduates make about $60,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of Saint Scholastica admits about 93% of applicants.

13

Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,452. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,319 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $59,409. That is a strong return on a $26,319 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

14

Northwestern College Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Northwestern College Minnesota ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $37,920 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,000. Early-career music education graduates make about $40,191. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

15

Concordia College At Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Concordia College At Moorhead landed the #15 spot for music education value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,170. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Concordia College At Moorhead earn a median of $48,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

16

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $43,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.

17

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #17 spot for music education value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $53,916. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.