2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in North Dakota

[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music education students.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Music Education Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in North Dakota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Education Schools
Minot State University earned the #1 spot for value among music education schools in North Dakota. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Music Education graduates carry a median of $28,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. That is a strong return on a $28,324 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Valley City State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Music Education graduates carry a median of $24,394 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $51,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dickinson State University earned it the #3 place for music education. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $44,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 37%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $25,485 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Mary one of the best values for music education. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Students borrow a median of $27,399 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $43,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,399 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of North Dakota came in at #6 for value in music education this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $25,110. Early-career music education graduates make about $56,934. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
More Music Education Rankings
View All Music Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.