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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in North Dakota

4 Colleges in the United States
$26,330 Avg Student Debt
$56,978 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Music Education Badge [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.

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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

1

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.

2

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.

3

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%.

4

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.

5
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND

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%.

6

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.

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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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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