2027 Best Value Music Pedagogy Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Music Pedagogy](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-pedagogy/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for music pedagogy students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Music Pedagogy Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music pedagogy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Music Pedagogy Schools
For return on investment in music pedagogy, no school beat Southern Illinois University Edwardsville this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for music pedagogy graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, music pedagogy degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $34,079. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Students looking for strong value in music pedagogy will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #2. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the music pedagogy program here. Music Pedagogy graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Western Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music pedagogy, landing the #3 spot this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Music Pedagogy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music pedagogy degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the best values for music pedagogy. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,769 to complete the music pedagogy program here. Early-career music pedagogy graduates make about $28,328. Set against $20,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music pedagogy schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Music Pedagogy graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Early-career music pedagogy graduates make about $47,887. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value music pedagogy schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for music pedagogy graduates is $29,198. Soon after graduation, music pedagogy degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $34,882. Set against $29,198 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #7 for value in music pedagogy this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Music Pedagogy graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Music Pedagogy graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $40,570 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for music pedagogy value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. 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 pedagogy graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music pedagogy degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $34,193. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value music pedagogy schools. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music pedagogy graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music pedagogy degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $27,559. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Cedarville University landed the #10 spot for music pedagogy value this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Students borrow a median of $22,110 to complete the music pedagogy program here. Soon after graduation, music pedagogy 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.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in music pedagogy this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,946 to complete the music pedagogy program here. Soon after graduation, music pedagogy degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Carthage College earned the #12 position for value in music pedagogy this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. In-state tuition and fees average $38,750. Music Pedagogy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music pedagogy graduates make about $24,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #13 position for value in music pedagogy this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Students borrow a median of $24,556 to complete the music pedagogy program here. Soon after graduation, music pedagogy degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $26,540. Set against $24,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Narrow Music Pedagogy Schools by State
More Music Pedagogy Rankings
View All Music Pedagogy Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
