2026 Best Music Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best music education schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 music education degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $47,559. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Get the full music education details for Iowa State University

2

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music education, ranking #2. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 21 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $45,786 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music education from University Of Nebraska Lincoln

3

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #3 spot this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Kansas State University awarded about 15 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from Kansas State University earn around $45,179 in the first couple years of their career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $22,814 in student loans. See the full music education program report for Kansas State University

4

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $53,916 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full music education program report for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

5

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at St Olaf College, which ranked #5. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. About 84% of students finish within six years. St Olaf College awarded about 15 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $47,807. St Olaf College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in music education from St Olaf College

6

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University landed the #6 spot for music education this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. Drake University awarded about 11 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at Drake University

7

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 music education students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,463 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,082. Get the full music education details for Minnesota State University Mankato

8

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa earned the #8 position for music education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 20 music education degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the music education program make about $52,307 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at University Of Northern Iowa

9

Emporia State University
Emporia, KS

Emporia State University landed the #9 spot for music education this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Emporia State University graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 music education students who graduated with this degree at Emporia State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $52,694. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music education from Emporia State University

10

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of Kansas awarded about 27 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $40,495. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at University Of Kansas

11

Concordia College At Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Concordia College At Moorhead ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Concordia College At Moorhead graduates 61% of students within six years. About 26 music education degrees were awarded at Concordia College At Moorhead in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from Concordia College At Moorhead earn around $48,164 in the first couple years of their career. Concordia College At Moorhead graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full music education details for Concordia College At Moorhead

12

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $46,908 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full music education program report for University Of Iowa

13

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates 54% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 30 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete this degree. Get the full music education details for University Of Missouri Kansas City

14

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University earned the #14 position for music education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Wichita. Wichita State University graduates 51% of students within six years. Wichita State University awarded about 24 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $47,121 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,145 to complete this degree. See the full music education program report for Wichita State University

15

Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College came in at #15 for music education this year. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 music education degrees were awarded at Wartburg College in the most recent year. Graduates of the music education program make about $45,677 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music education from Wartburg College

16

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. University Of South Dakota awarded about 10 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $42,772 early in their careers. University Of South Dakota graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in music education from University Of South Dakota

17

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University placed #17 among the best music education schools. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 10 music education degrees were awarded at Truman State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from Truman State University earn around $39,321 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete this degree. Get the full music education details for Truman State University

18

Northern State University
Aberdeen, SD

Northern State University earned the #18 position for music education this year. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern State University awarded about 21 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $45,824 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,143 to complete this degree. Get the full music education details for Northern State University

19

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #19 spot for music education this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 music education students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from Southeast Missouri State University earn around $34,206 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,748 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at Southeast Missouri State University

20

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield landed the #20 spot for music education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 music education students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $39,237 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,294 to complete this degree. Get the full music education details for Missouri State University Springfield

21

Ottawa University Online
Overland Park, KS

Ottawa University Online placed #21 among the best music education schools. Set in the city of Overland Park, Ottawa University Online is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ottawa University Online awarded about 10 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Ottawa University Online earn a median of $51,615 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,125 to complete this degree. Get the full music education details for Ottawa University Online