by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for music education students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in music education, no school beat St Charles Community College this year. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $12,606. Early-career music education graduates make about $47,228. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
Truman State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #2 spot this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the music education program here. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music education will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #3. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Music Education graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Ozarks one of the best values for music education. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Music Education graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,042 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Missouri Western State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,704 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $33,183 early in their careers. Set against $24,704 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Southeast Missouri State University placed #6 among the best values for music education. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Music Education graduates carry a median of $21,748 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $34,206. Set against $21,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #7 among the best values for music education. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,221 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $38,832. Set against $26,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #8 spot for music education value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $25,741 to complete the music education program here. 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.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #9 position for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Music Education graduates carry a median of $30,294 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $39,237. Set against $30,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University came in at #10 for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Music Education graduates carry a median of $32,500 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $39,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
Evangel University earned the #11 position for value in music education this year. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Music Education graduates carry a median of $30,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $34,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Baptist University earned the #12 position for value in music education this year. Set in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,566. Music Education graduates carry a median of $25,762 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Southwest Baptist University generally make around $35,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
Drury University earned the #13 position for value in music education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,745 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,641. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Drury University generally make around $37,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drury University admits about 58% of applicants.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences landed the #14 spot for music education value this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,620. Music Education graduates carry a median of $24,633 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences generally make around $47,538. That is a strong return on a $24,633 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Missouri Baptist University came in at #15 for value in music education this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,122. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $27,337. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University generally make around $45,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Webster University landed the #16 spot for music education value this year. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,939. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $54,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
