Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

24 Ranked Colleges
331 Degrees Awarded
$20,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Music is the 40th most popular major in the country with 27,047 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, music graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $25,639 and had an average of $28,653 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,454 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $26,717 and $27,428 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 331 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered a degree in music. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great music programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the music program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Music Schools

The music school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 24 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s music degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

WUSTL also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at WUSTL

#2

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Truman State University landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 9 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Truman State also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Truman State University are $16,551, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at Truman State University

#3

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 34 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#15 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a fairly large public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 2 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also took the #15 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Duluth are $28,606, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at UMN Duluth

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This fairly large school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 11 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State University also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Dakota State University - Main Campus are $11,589, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Music Report

#6

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#1 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNI is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

UNI also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northern Iowa are $22,648.

Read full report on Music at University of Northern Iowa

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school awarded 20 diplomas to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

UNL also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska - Lincoln are $19,513, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at UNL

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788.

Read more about Music at Minnesota State Mankato

#18 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 7 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Music Report

#10

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. K -State is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k list, K -State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kansas State University are $24,115, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at K -State

#11

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#16 in overall quality

University of North Dakota came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k list, UND has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UND are $18,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at UND

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 23 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at University of Missouri - Columbia

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNK is a medium-sized public school situated in Kearney, Nebraska. It awarded 6 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UNK also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNK are $14,792, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at University of Nebraska at Kearney

#14

Emporia State University

Emporia, Kansas
#20 in overall quality

Emporia State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Emporia, Kansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

ESU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Emporia State University are $22,058, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at ESU

#15

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri

With a ranking of #15, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMKC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 61 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMKC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMKC are $26,699, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UMKC Music Report

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 20 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at Missouri State University - Springfield

#17

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

UCM also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Missouri are $16,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at University of Central Missouri

#18

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at Iowa

#19

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wichita, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

WSU also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at WSU are $15,112, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at Wichita State University

#20

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas
#21 in overall quality

Pittsburg State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Pittsburg, Kansas, and it awarded 3 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Pitt State also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at Pittsburg State University are $19,320, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at Pittsburg State University

#21

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

With a ranking of #21, University of South Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USD is a medium-sized public school situated in Vermillion, South Dakota. It awarded 12 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

USD also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Dakota are $12,637.

Full USD Music Report

#22

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 26 degrees to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kansas are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at KU

#23

Park University

Parkville, Missouri

Park University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Parkville, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

Park University also took the #0 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Park University are $6,224.

Full Park University Music Report

#24

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#12 in overall quality

Webster University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s music degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Webster did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Webster University are $13,500.

Full Webster Music Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Featured Performing Arts Schools

Find Schools Near You