2026 Best Value Music Schools in Nebraska

[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for music students.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
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.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Music Schools in Nebraska
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #1 spot for value among music schools in Nebraska. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for music graduates is $21,783. Music graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $20,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at University Of Nebraska At Kearney, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $46,744. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values for music. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Music graduates carry a median of $25,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $48,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.