2026 Best Value Music Performance Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

For return on investment in music performance, no school beat Truman State University this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.

2

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #2 place for music performance. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $23,089. Early-career music performance graduates make about $32,144. Set against $23,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

3

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for music performance. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $21,783. Early-career music performance graduates make about $20,881. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.

4

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $32,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

5

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #5 place for music performance. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career music performance graduates make about $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

6

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #7 spot for music performance value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for music performance graduates is $24,427. Early-career music performance graduates make about $31,780. That is a strong return on a $24,427 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.

8

Evangel University
Springfield, MO

Evangel University landed the #8 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $24,876 in student loans. Music Performance graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $42,039 early in their careers. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

9

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota earned the #9 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete the music performance program here. Music Performance graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $46,183 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,322 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

10

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College came in at #10 for value in music performance this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the music performance program here. Early-career music performance graduates make about $24,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

11

Concordia College At Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Concordia College At Moorhead earned the #11 position for value in music performance this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,170. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead generally make around $44,611. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

12

Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University earned the #12 position for value in music performance this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $57,152. That is a strong return on a $25,939 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

13

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University landed the #13 spot for music performance value this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Music Performance graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.

14

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value music performance schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the music performance program here. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.