2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Music Education
The cheapest online master’s in music education aims to elevate musical expertise and professional practice while keeping costs low. These fully online music programs blend music theory, pedagogy, and performance, often including live virtual sessions and interactive coursework that mirror the quality of on-campus study.
Key Takeaways:
- The University of Missouri ranks #1 with a tuition of just $5,600 per year.
- Sam Houston State University leads in graduate earnings, with a median salary of $68,672.
- The University of Valley Forge has the best student-to-faculty ratio at 11:1.
All schools are institutionally accredited with fully online music education degrees. We rank them using manually verified tuition data. See our methodology for more details.
2025 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Music Education
| Rank | School | Location | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri | Columbia (MO) | $5,600 | |
| University of West Georgia | Carrollton (GA) | $6,084 | |
| Western Illinois University | Macomb (IL) | $6,565 | |
| Eastern Illinois University | Charleston (IL) | $7,121 | |
| University of Valley Forge | Phoenixville (PA) | $7,177 | |
| Sam Houston State University | Huntsville (TX) | $7,252 | |
| Campbellsville University | Campbellsville (KY) | $7,360 | |
| Liberty University | Lynchburg (VA) | $7,910 | |
| Morehead State University | Morehead (KY) | $8,550 | |
| Kansas State University | Manhattan (KS) | $8,818 | |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney | Kearney (NE) | $9,198 | |
| North Dakota State University - Main Campus | Fargo (ND) | $9,481 | |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University | Durant (OK) | $9,540 | |
| Colorado State University - Fort Collins | Fort Collins (CO) | $9,930 | |
| Washington State University | Pullman (WA) | $10,071 |
Student Reviews of Online Music Programs
The faculty are very knowledgeable and get back to your emails in a timely manner. It is difficult to get access to online services when applying to be an online graduate student.
Review Date: 5/17/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
My education at the University of Michigan was first-rate. It is a top-level music school in every regard: Professors are brilliant and at the top of their respective fields, ensembles and ensemble directors are at a very high level and the facilities are outstanding. I feel it was an excellent investment in my future.
Review Date: 4/16/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
This graduate program has amazing faculty members. The professors are incredibly knowledgeable, empathetic, and motivating. The parking at Towson drastically needs to be reassessed and is way too expensive, and the bursars office is a bit horrible, but I love this university and all it has to offer. There are many student groups and programs, great diversity, and exceptional networking opportunities. I am thoroughly confident that my program is preparing me to be a very successful teacher and a competitive... Read More
Review Date: 9/21/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The VCFA Music Composition program is a great option for those with career/family responsibilities. The possibility of essentially designing one's own program is really exceptional, and the faculty is top notch. I'm very happy with my decision to attend VCFA.
Review Date: 2/1/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
This is a fantastic Masters Program, accessible to many and very practical in its approach.
Review Date: 3/10/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
It is new, and just getting off of the ground. The positives are, that I am going to be taking classes with professors who taught undergraduate classes, so I know them already.
Review Date: 7/31/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I feel that the VanderCook Graduate program is very accessible for people that want to continue working and not take off time for graduate school. It is affordable and there are many varieties of classes to take. I feel like the teaching staff is fully competent and there are a lot of great people to learn from. For a 3 summer program, it covers a lot of material.
Review Date: 4/27/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I am thoroughly enjoying my graduate studies thus far. As a first-year Master of Music Education student, I have found the academic environment to be engaging and supportive at UNCG. The professors are willing to help their students succeed, whether it be through private correspondence or one-on-one meetings. Having taken on-campus and online courses through UNCG, I have felt that I have received an exceptional education through both formats. I feel that this degree will truly help me become a better... Read More
Review Date: 1/23/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
It was fun and exciting, yet it was slightly frightening. It feels as if there is a lot of pressure depending on your success, but you just have to focus.
Review Date: 7/22/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The teaching assistantship program at WSU is amazing! I wouldn't have been able to get my M.A. without it! The area is also beautiful, though the town is small the views are incredible and there is plenty to do if you like being outdoors especially in the summer.
Review Date: 7/25/2013
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Pros: specificity in the field Cons: much money for few classes
Review Date: 5/24/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I was super excited when I saw that there was a program that could possibly bring technology and audio together. Me being engineer as an undergraduate I was super stoked when I could pursue education in music technology. However when I started my classes I realised that it was total waste of time and money. This is me talking only for music technology department. Nobody cares about you here. There’s one mentor for 30 students who barely has time to meet up with and talk to you about your career and... Read More
Review Date: 2/2/2023
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
New England Conservatory is a top music program for aspiring opera singers. Not only is it wonderful for performance, but helps train future teachers. At NEC, students have the opportunity to perform high level repertoire and work with america's best opera faculty.
Review Date: 3/28/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Arizona State University has to be one of the most open-minded universities in the USA. As a MM in Performance Pedagogy student, I have more than one interest involving my future music career. ASU is very open to new ideas and is flexible with their degree electives. I love teaching music and performing, but also have an interest in learning about business, particularly in the music world. ASU has countless resources for students who need help developing their ideas, regardless of your degree program,... Read More
Review Date: 3/18/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ is a really good school. They have great majors to choose from as well as great instructors. I enjoy attending, as a first year grad student, majoring in Music Pedagogy. The school is centrally located and has lots of things to do and places to eat on campus.
Review Date: 2/23/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Rowan Universitys graduate music composition department offers an immense amount of interaction between students and faculty. Students have the privilege of working one on one with professors who are currently on the cutting edge of research and performance. Rowans music department offers state of the art computers and musical software, as well as an enormous recording studio. Rowan is fully equipped with its own concert hall and immerse pipe organ as well as a smaller recital hall. My university... Read More
Review Date: 12/30/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Stephen F Austin State University is an idyllic campus with diverse world class programs and an exceedingly qualified faculty. The School of Music curriculum is challenging and meets all criteria for preparation towards career opportunities or educational advancement. All staff members are deeply committed to the student's success. Located in a scenic and friendly environment, this college is an excellent choice on all counts.
Review Date: 3/29/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The college degree program which I decided to pursue as an undergraduate in college is Instrumental performance/music. I decided to pursue a music degree at Rutgers University as the first step towards becoming a audio engineer/ sound producer. Although Rutgers does not have a music business degree or audio engineering degree, it does prepare you into becoming a professional musician. Mason Gross School of Arts at Rutgers University is a great school for studying any kind of arts. The faculty is... Read More
Review Date: 6/27/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Entering an Graduate-Level music degree program can be very challenging, but also very rewarding. Understanding music history and music theory develop the musicianship needed to succeed in a very competitive and well-educated market, but self-motivation, curiosity, and creative expression are the interpersonal qualities necessary to flourish with-in this field of music.
Review Date: 8/9/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
For a graduate degree, the curriculum is very accommodating to what you want to study. There are 3 classes that are required, otherwise the bulk of your credits are earned through ensembles and lessons. This degree allows for a lot of time for independent practice as well as teaching in the area.
Review Date: 2/28/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No