Skip to main content

Cheapest Music Colleges in Missouri

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

College of the Ozarks stands alone with its $7,669 net price for music students, creating a $4,000 gap between the state's cheapest and second-cheapest options. This private nonprofit in Point Lookout achieves its low cost through required student work programs while maintaining a 61.30% graduation rate and highly selective 21.13% acceptance rate. Missouri's music programs span from $7,669 to $21,082 annually, with public universities like Missouri Southern State offering in-state tuition as low as $8,400. The state's growing healthcare and technology sectors, anchored by companies like Cerner, create opportunities for music graduates in therapeutic settings, corporate communications, and educational technology. Earnings for music graduates range from $28,019 at University of Missouri-Kansas City to $32,284 at UM-St Louis, reflecting the varied career paths available from performance to music business roles in Missouri's expanding urban markets.
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 In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
2 $11,653 $8,400 38.3% 99.5%
3 $12,030 $9,470 68.4% 45.1%
4 $12,323 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
5 $12,638 $9,800 39.8%
6 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
7 $12,860 $13,692 52.6% 63.2%
8 $13,496 $8,506 55.0% 85.3%
9 $14,532 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
10 $14,824 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
11 $15,336 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
12 $15,529 $16,400 30.0%
13 $16,602 $19,890 61.6% 41.0%
14 $16,939 $38,672 42.6% 67.6%
15 $17,502 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
16 $17,945 $23,000 24.5% 61.2%
17 $18,516 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
18 $18,705 $27,192 64.8% 67.9%
19 $19,889 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
20 $21,082 $28,320 51.2% 99.6%
21 $21,123 $26,880 44.3% 67.1%
22 $21,523 $35,235 66.0% 63.4%
23 $21,887 $16,230 38.2%
24 $22,080 $29,915 50.2% 97.0%
25 $22,117 $62,982 94.4% 11.8%
26 $22,270 $28,860 57.0% 61.5%
27 $23,277 $28,200 46.5% 64.2%
28 $24,051 $24,326 45.7%
29 $25,477 $27,140 52.5% 97.9%
30 $25,807 $33,122 48.2% 70.9%
31 $26,111 $34,188 57.5% 75.3%
32 $26,196 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%
33 $27,075 $53,244 79.8% 84.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks so much cheaper than other music programs?

College of the Ozarks requires all students to work 15 hours per week on campus, earning the nickname 'Hard Work U.' This work-study model reduces the net price to just $7,669, nearly $4,000 less than the next cheapest option. The school maintains quality with a 61.30% graduation rate and accepts only 21.13% of applicants. Students work in various campus departments while pursuing their music degrees, creating a unique blend of practical experience and academic study.

How do public university music programs compare in cost across Missouri?

Public universities offer in-state tuition ranging from $8,400 at Missouri Southern State to $13,440 at UM-St Louis. Net prices after aid span from $11,653 at Missouri Southern to $17,502 at Missouri State-Springfield. Truman State provides the best value among publics with a $12,030 net price and 68.40% graduation rate. Most public programs accept 70-90% of applicants, making them accessible options for music students.

Is the earnings difference between Missouri music programs significant?

Early career earnings show a $4,265 gap between programs, with UM-St Louis graduates earning $32,284 compared to $28,019 at UM-Kansas City. University of Central Missouri falls in the middle at $31,839 for music graduates. These variations reflect different program focuses, with some emphasizing performance while others prepare students for music business, education, or therapy careers. The earnings data covers only programs with sufficient graduate tracking information.

Does Missouri's job market support music graduates effectively?

Missouri's healthcare expansion creates demand for music therapists, while companies like Cerner hire graduates for user experience and communications roles requiring creative skills. The state's A+ Scholarship program covers community college costs, allowing students to complete prerequisites affordably before transferring to four-year music programs. Major metropolitan areas in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield provide venues for performance opportunities and music education positions. Defense contractors like Boeing also employ musicians for training and communications programs.

Where can students find the best graduation rates among affordable options?

Truman State leads affordable public options with a 68.40% graduation rate at $12,030 net cost. College of the Ozarks achieves 61.30% graduation rates at the lowest price point of $7,669. Among mid-priced options, Northwest Missouri State posts 57.50% rates for $14,824 annually. The data shows a general correlation between selectivity and graduation rates, with more competitive programs typically seeing higher completion percentages.

More Music Rankings

Best Value Music in Missouri Music Under $20,000 in Missouri

Related

All Music Programs Best Colleges in Missouri Best Music in Missouri

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