2026 Best Value Music Schools in Ohio

1

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Our analysis ranked Youngstown State University the best value for a degree in music in Ohio. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $34,657 early in their careers. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.

2

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stark State College earned it the #2 place for music. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $17,349. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Terra State Community College
Fremont, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Terra State Community College earned it the #3 place for music. Terra State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fremont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,748, compared with $8,544 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $24,070 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Terra State Community College generally make around $63,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wright State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for music. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for music graduates is $25,836. Early-career music graduates make about $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

5

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $35,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

6

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Music graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $32,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

7

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent landed the #7 spot for music value this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $24,340 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

8

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for music value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Early-career music graduates make about $34,193. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

9

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $27,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #10 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,946. Early-career music graduates make about $22,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

11

Capital University
Columbus, OH

Capital University earned the #11 position for value in music this year. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,234 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $33,143. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

12

Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Music graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.

13

Baldwin Wallace College
Berea, OH

Baldwin Wallace College earned the #13 position for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,832. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $46,668 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

14

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford earned the #14 position for value in music this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $19,353. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

15

Cleveland Institute Of Music
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Institute Of Music earned the #15 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland Institute Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,880. Music graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Music graduates of Cleveland Institute Of Music earn a median of $19,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.

16

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University landed the #16 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.

17

Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College came in at #17 for value in music this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,366 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,200 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $17,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.