2026 Best Value Music Schools in Kentucky
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for music students.
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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
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2026 Best Value Music Schools in Kentucky
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
For return on investment in music, no school beat Murray State University this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for music graduates is $26,731. Music graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $34,098 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $20,379 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $30,106. Set against $20,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Morehead State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $31,088. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #4 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for music. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,317 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $34,766 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Kentucky is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,000. Early-career music graduates make about $30,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Louisville placed #6 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Students borrow a median of $20,745 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $19,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
