2027 Best Value Music Schools in Iowa
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Music Schools in Iowa
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 Northern Iowa earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in Iowa. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the music program here. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #2 place for music. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,496. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Iowa one of the best values for music. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $27,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $41,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Luther College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $45,367. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
