2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in South Dakota
[Music Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/music-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music education students.
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2026 Best Value Music Education Schools in South Dakota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Education Schools
Northern State University tops our 2026 list of the best value music education schools in South Dakota. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $45,824. That is a strong return on a $26,143 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
South Dakota State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value music education schools. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Music Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career music education graduates make about $45,625. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Dakota one of the best values for music education. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music education program here. Music Education graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $42,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Mount Marty College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #4 spot this year. Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Yankton. In-state tuition and fees average $34,600. Music Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Education graduates of Mount Marty College earn a median of $108,425 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Marty College admits about 43% of applicants.
Augustana College South Dakota is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,160 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music education graduates is $26,217. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Augustana College South Dakota generally make around $50,088. That is a strong return on a $26,217 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 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.
