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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 Great Lakes Region
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
University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2026 list of the best value music schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $56,930. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Music graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $32,666. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern Illinois University earned it the #4 place for music. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $49,254. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Millikin University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,996. Early-career music graduates make about $21,138. That is a strong return on a $26,996 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #6 spot for music value this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,500. Music graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $34,079 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Stark State College came in at #7 for value in music this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for music graduates is $17,349. Music graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #8 position for value in music this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Youngstown State University earned the #9 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,373. Early-career music graduates make about $34,657. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #10 for value in music this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,300. Early-career music graduates make about $37,163. That is a strong return on a $26,300 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Music graduates carry a median of $11,780 in student loans. Music graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. Set against $11,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Illinois University earned the #12 position for value in music this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $41,632 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #13 for value in music this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $29,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #14 spot for music value this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #15 spot for music value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $20,769 in student loans. Music graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $28,328 early in their careers. Set against $20,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #16 for value in music this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,677. Music graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $56,998 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,677 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #17 spot for music value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $25,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Terra State Community College came in at #18 for value in music this year. Set in the rural area of Fremont, Terra State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,748, compared with $8,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,070 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $63,495. Set against $24,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,000. Early-career music graduates make about $31,134. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Wayne State University came in at #20 for value in music this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $32,911. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Ball State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,518. Early-career music graduates make about $47,863. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for music graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $31,552. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #23 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $26,637 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $43,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,637 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #25 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $27,478. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music:
Narrow Music Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 214 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
