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Best Value Music Colleges in Missouri

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

College of the Ozarks stands out among Missouri's music programs with a net price of just $7,669, making it the most affordable option despite being a private institution. This dramatic cost advantage reflects the school's unique work-study model where students contribute labor instead of traditional tuition payments. At the other end of the spectrum, Washington University commands a $22,117 net price but delivers a 94.40% graduation rate, the highest among all programs. Missouri's music graduates earn between $22,192 and $32,284 annually, with the University of Missouri-St Louis leading in post-graduation earnings. The state's strong healthcare and technology sectors, anchored by companies like Cerner and BJC HealthCare, create opportunities for music graduates in therapeutic settings and multimedia production. Public universities generally offer better value propositions, with in-state students at University of Missouri-Kansas City paying just $11,988 in tuition while achieving 55.90% graduation rates.
33
Programs
$7,669 – $27,075
Net Price Range
$28,949
Avg. Program Earnings
54.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

33 Music Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,323 $32,284 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
2 $12,837 $28,019 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
3 $15,336 $31,839 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
4 $18,705 $30,409 $27,192 64.8% 67.9%
5 $26,196 $22,192 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%
6 $17,502 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
7 $14,824 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
8 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
9 $15,529 $16,400 30.0%
10 $27,075 $53,244 79.8% 84.7%
11 $21,082 $28,320 51.2% 99.6%
12 $23,277 $28,200 46.5% 64.2%
13 $14,532 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
14 $13,496 $8,506 55.0% 85.3%
15 $22,117 $62,982 94.4% 11.8%
16 $26,111 $34,188 57.5% 75.3%
17 $16,602 $19,890 61.6% 41.0%
18 $22,270 $28,860 57.0% 61.5%
19 $16,939 $38,672 42.6% 67.6%
20 $12,030 $9,470 68.4% 45.1%
21 $19,889 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
22 $12,638 $9,800 39.8%
23 $17,945 $23,000 24.5% 61.2%
24 $11,653 $8,400 38.3% 99.5%
25 $25,807 $33,122 48.2% 70.9%
26 $18,516 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
27 $21,123 $26,880 44.3% 67.1%
28 $21,523 $35,235 66.0% 63.4%
29 $22,080 $29,915 50.2% 97.0%
30 $24,051 $24,326 45.7%
31 $25,477 $27,140 52.5% 97.9%
32 $12,860 $13,692 52.6% 63.2%
33 $21,887 $16,230 38.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks such an outlier in music program costs?

College of the Ozarks operates on a distinctive work-study model where students work on campus to offset tuition costs, resulting in a net price of only $7,669. This makes it the most affordable music program in Missouri despite being a private institution. The school maintains a highly selective 21.13% acceptance rate and achieves a 61.30% graduation rate. Students essentially earn their education through campus employment rather than accumulating traditional debt.

How do public universities compare to private institutions for music value?

Public universities in Missouri offer significantly better value for music students, with in-state tuition ranging from $9,024 to $13,440 compared to private institutions averaging above $20,000. University of Missouri-Kansas City provides strong value at $11,988 in-state tuition with graduates earning $28,019 annually. Public programs also maintain reasonable acceptance rates between 51% and 93%, making them more accessible. The debt loads at public institutions typically remain below $22,000 compared to higher private school obligations.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Missouri music schools?

The relationship between cost and graduation rates shows interesting patterns, with Washington University achieving the highest graduation rate at 94.40% despite its $22,117 net price. However, College of the Ozarks demonstrates that low cost doesn't mean low success, maintaining a 61.30% graduation rate at just $7,669. University of Missouri-St Louis balances both factors well with a 56.90% graduation rate and $12,323 net cost. Private institutions generally show higher graduation rates but at substantially higher costs.

What earning potential can Missouri music graduates expect?

Music graduates from Missouri programs earn between $22,192 and $32,284 annually, with University of Missouri-St Louis graduates commanding the highest salaries at $32,284. University of Central Missouri follows closely at $31,839, while Evangel University graduates earn $30,409 despite the program's higher cost. Webster University graduates face the lowest earnings at $22,192, which creates a challenging return on investment given the school's $26,196 net price. The 10-year earnings data reflects the varied career paths available to music graduates in Missouri's economy.

Where do Missouri's healthcare and technology sectors intersect with music careers?

Missouri's major employers like BJC HealthCare and Cerner create unique opportunities for music graduates in therapeutic and technology applications. Music therapy positions in healthcare systems utilize the state's strong medical infrastructure, while companies like Cerner employ music graduates for user interface design and multimedia content creation. The state's defense contractors also hire musicians for training simulations and communication projects. These alternative career paths help explain why Missouri music graduates can achieve solid earnings of $28,000 to $32,000 annually across various industries.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.