2026 Best Value Music Schools in Iowa
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music schools.
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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
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2026 Best Value Music Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Music Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Northern Iowa the best value for a degree in music in Iowa. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,175. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Iowa one of the best values for music. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,783 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $41,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Luther College, which ranked #3. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Luther College earn a median of $45,367 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music 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.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
