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Featured Music Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
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2026 Best Value Music Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
Leading the list is St Charles Community College, our #1 best value for music in the The Plains States Region. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Music graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $47,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #2. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Music graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri St Louis earned it the #3 place for music. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Music graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $35,835 early in their careers. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,144 early in their careers. Set against $23,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,175. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #6 spot for music value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Music graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $20,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Wichita State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,262. Music graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #8 among the best values for music. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $46,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for music. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Music graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $54,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #10 position for value in music this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $28,677. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for music graduates is $21,750. Early-career music graduates make about $30,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University earned the #12 position for value in music this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,131. Music graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $46,440 early in their careers. Set against $23,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #13 for value in music this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Music graduates carry a median of $25,373 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $48,098 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Kansas placed #14 among the best values for music. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,608. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $31,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Music graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,543. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #16 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,408. Early-career music graduates make about $46,503. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #17 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $24,427 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $31,780. That is a strong return on a $24,427 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #18 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $35,939. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Dakota landed the #19 spot for music value this year. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $46,183. That is a strong return on a $26,322 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Evangel University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,876. Music graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $42,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
