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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 Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in music in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Music graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #2 place for music. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music graduates is $30,000. 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.
Millikin University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,996 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $21,138 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,996 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned it the #5 place for music. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $34,079. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Northern Illinois University placed #6 among the best values for music. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Music graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $41,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #7 spot for music value this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Music graduates carry a median of $26,300 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $37,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #8 for value in music this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $25,536. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Music graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Music graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $35,863 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Roosevelt University came in at #10 for value in music this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $29,974. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #11 spot for music value this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $19,943. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #12 position for value in music this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,556. Music graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $26,540 early in their careers. Set against $24,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University came in at #13 for value in music this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,166 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $28,057 early in their careers. Set against $18,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #14 among the best values for music. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,334. Music graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $22,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,334 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
