2026 Best Music Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in music education. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 50 music education degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $51,105. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full music education program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 music education students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $50,102. Students borrow a median of $24,149 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at Illinois State University

3

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

A rank of #3 makes Butler University one of the top schools for music education. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 music education degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. Students borrow a median of $25,351 to complete this degree. See the full music education program report for Butler University

4

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music education, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 24 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $49,282. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full music education details for Ohio State University Main Campus

5

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 19 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $66,254 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,137. Get the full music education details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

6

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #6 spot for music education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 33 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $50,587 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at Indiana University Bloomington

7

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #7 for music education this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 33 music education degrees were awarded at Ball State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from Ball State University earn around $49,745 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,998. Get the full music education details for Ball State University

8

Lawrence University
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University placed #8 among the best music education schools. Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Appleton. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 11 music education degrees were awarded at Lawrence University in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $15,699. See the full music education program report for Lawrence University

9

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #9 among the best music education schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 music education students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $52,130 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,910. Read more about the music education program at Depaul University

10

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford placed #10 among the best music education schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 music education students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $46,681 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,560. See the full music education program report for Miami University Oxford

11

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #11 for music education this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $41,843 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the music education program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

12

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #12 among the best music education schools. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $40,005 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,719. More information about a degree in music education from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

13

Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University earned the #13 position for music education this year. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Cedarville University awarded about 10 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $38,378. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. Read more about the music education program at Cedarville University

14

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #14 among the best music education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of River Falls. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates 57% of students within six years. About 11 music education degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin River Falls in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $43,296. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full music education details for University Of Wisconsin River Falls

15

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for music education this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 28 music education students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $46,368 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,642. More information about a degree in music education from Bowling Green State University Main Campus

16

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois earned the #16 position for music education this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Augustana College Illinois graduates 73% of students within six years. About 11 music education degrees were awarded at Augustana College Illinois in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $45,145. Augustana College Illinois graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full music education program report for Augustana College Illinois

17

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent landed the #17 spot for music education this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. About 64% of students finish within six years. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 40 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $47,727 early in their careers. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. See the full music education program report for Kent State University At Kent

18

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #18 spot for music education this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 music education students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $52,168 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000. More information about a degree in music education from Central Michigan University

19

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University placed #19 among the best music education schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 10 music education degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from Oakland University earn around $58,637 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,972. More information about a degree in music education from Oakland University

20

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University came in at #20 for music education this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 music education degrees were awarded at Indiana State University in the most recent year. Music Education graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $45,862 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the music education program at Indiana State University

21

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 music education degrees were awarded at Western Michigan University in the most recent year. Music Education graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,382 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree. See the full music education program report for Western Michigan University

22

Lakeland College
Plymouth, WI

Lakeland College landed the #22 spot for music education this year. Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Plymouth. Lakeland College graduates 42% of students within six years. About 22 music education degrees were awarded at Lakeland College in the most recent year. Music Education graduates of Lakeland College earn a median of $52,412 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,722 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at Lakeland College

23

Capital University
Columbus, OH

Capital University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 music education students who graduated with this degree at Capital University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from Capital University earn around $32,597 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the music education program at Capital University

24

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dayton. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 music education students who graduated with this degree at Wright State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from Wright State University Main Campus earn around $43,003 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at Wright State University Main Campus

25

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University came in at #25 for music education this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. Millikin University awarded about 16 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $43,936 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full music education details for Millikin University