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2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

38 Ranked Colleges
1,308 Degrees Awarded
$16,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 25,910 people earned their degree in music, making the major the 43rd most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, music graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $27,160 and had an average of $24,560 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,308 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,383 and $23,796 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 38 colleges that offered a degree in music. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent music programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the music program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region music students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Music in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,232 for plains states region music students with aid per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Music at University of Missouri - St Louis

2
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Northern Iowa. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region music students with aid list, UNI has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $16,438 for plains states region music students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Music at University of Northern Iowa

3
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Truman State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Truman State University is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

Truman State also made our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Truman State is $12,301 for plains states region music students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Truman State Music Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 111 students in 2020-2021.

UMKC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $15,702 for Plains States Region Music students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at UMKC

5
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 84 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $19,401 for Plains States Region Music students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at University of Iowa

6

North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 32 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region music students with aid list, North Dakota State University has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University is $16,998 for Plains States Region Music students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

7

Iowa State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,002 for Plains States Region Music students with aid per year to attend Iowa State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at Iowa State

8
WSU crest
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Wichita State University is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 29 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU also made our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for WSU is $14,859 for Plains States Region Music students with aid.

Read full report on Music at Wichita State University

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Mizzou is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 26 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also took the #15 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,559 for Plains States Region Music students with aid per year to attend Mizzou.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Music at University of Missouri - Columbia

10

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 69 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region music students with aid list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region music students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Music at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

11

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school handed out 57 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.

UNL also made our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,013 for Plains States Region Music students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Music at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

12

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UNOMAHA is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 35 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $13,914 for plains states region music students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Music Report

13
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 3 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $17,634 for Plains States Region Music students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at Winona State

14

With a ranking of #14, Missouri Southern State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Joplin, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,526 for Plains States Region Music students with aid per year to attend Missouri Southern.

Full Missouri Southern Music Report

15
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,581 for plains states region music students with aid per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Cloud State University Music Report

16

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 16 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,505 for plains states region music students with aid per year to attend UMN Duluth.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at University of Minnesota - Duluth

17
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. K -State is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 24 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $18,433 for plains states region music students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Kansas State University Music Report

18

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,159 for Plains States Region Music students with aid per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at Minnesota State University - Mankato

19

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Missouri State University - Springfield is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

Missouri State also took the #24 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,718 for Plains States Region Music students with aid per year to attend Missouri State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at Missouri State

20

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Kearney, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

UNK also took the #25 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,099 for plains states region music students with aid per year to attend UNK.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at UNK

21
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, and it awarded 15 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USD, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Dakota is $19,389 for plains states region music students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at University of South Dakota

22
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Warrensburg, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,058 for plains states region music students with aid per year to attend UCM.

Full University of Central Missouri Music Report

23
ESU crest
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Emporia, Kansas, and it awarded 30 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,794 for Plains States Region Music students with aid per year to attend ESU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at Emporia State University

24
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. KU is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 67 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $20,257 for Plains States Region Music students with aid per year to attend KU.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at University of Kansas

25
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Luther is located in Decorah, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

Luther did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Music Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Luther College is $25,538 for Plains States Region Music students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at Luther

Notes and References

References

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