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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 Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
For return on investment in music, no school beat St Charles Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Music graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Music graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #2. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for music graduates is $23,168. Early-career music graduates make about $39,764. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for music graduates is $25,943. Music graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $35,835 early in their careers. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Music graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans. Music graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,144 early in their careers. Set against $23,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for music. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music graduates is $21,750. Early-career music graduates make about $30,321. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for music graduates is $24,408. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #7 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $35,939. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Evangel University earned the #8 position for value in music this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Music graduates carry a median of $24,876 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $42,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Webster University earned the #9 position for value in music this year. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Music graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. Early-career music graduates make about $57,152. That is a strong return on a $25,939 median debt. Roughly 86% 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
