Cheapest Music Colleges in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Parkside delivers the state's most affordable music education at just $10,044 net cost, while private institutions like Beloit College charge over double that at $21,924. This $11,880 gap reflects Wisconsin's strong public university system serving students across 20 campuses statewide. Music graduates from UW-Whitewater earn the highest median salary at $40,945, nearly double the $20,140 bottom of the range. Wisconsin's growing entertainment sector, anchored by major venues in Milwaukee and Madison plus recording studios throughout the state, creates steady demand for music professionals. The state's manufacturing heritage also supports audio equipment companies and music technology firms. Public universities dominate affordable options, with 12 of the 15 cheapest programs housed in the UW system. Graduation rates vary significantly, from UW-Parkside's 39.80% to UW-Madison's impressive 89.30%, suggesting students should weigh cost against completion likelihood when choosing programs.

Programs

$10,044 – $26,067

Net Price Range

$30,425

Avg. Program Earnings

61.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

25 Music Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Wisconsin-Parkside Kenosha, Wisconsin	$10,044	$7,855	39.8%	72.8%
2	University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Green Bay, Wisconsin	$12,878	$8,342	53.1%	89.6%
3	University of Wisconsin-Superior Superior, Wisconsin	$13,405	$8,487	44.1%	95.6%
4	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, Wisconsin	$13,726	$8,834	56.0%	89.1%
5	University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, Wisconsin	$14,714	$8,606	60.9%	84.5%
6	University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, Wisconsin	$14,754	$8,315	61.5%	85.4%
7	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, Wisconsin	$14,761	$8,212	57.9%	88.5%
8	University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, Wisconsin	$14,785	$8,250	64.3%	82.4%
9	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse, Wisconsin	$15,374	$9,651	71.2%	74.3%
10	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,177	$10,020	51.2%	86.3%
11	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
12	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, Wisconsin	$16,948	$9,277	67.6%	76.6%
13	Ripon College Ripon, Wisconsin	$21,176	$50,700	59.9%	81.3%
14	Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$21,315	$35,080	62.7%	93.8%
15	Beloit College Beloit, Wisconsin	$21,924	$58,554	67.2%	65.9%
16	Lakeland University Plymouth, Wisconsin	$22,092	$32,286	55.7%	99.5%
17	Viterbo University La Crosse, Wisconsin	$22,633	$32,350	65.2%	72.4%
18	Marian University Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin	$23,341	$33,000	41.2%	71.6%
19	Carroll University Waukesha, Wisconsin	$24,362	$37,230	69.6%	72.1%
20	Lawrence University Appleton, Wisconsin	$24,563	$55,461	76.4%	72.3%
21	Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, Wisconsin	$24,659	$20,280	65.7%	75.1%
22	Carthage College Kenosha, Wisconsin	$24,813	$36,500	60.5%	81.8%
23	Edgewood College Madison, Wisconsin	$25,634	$34,850	67.4%	98.6%
24	Saint Norbert College De Pere, Wisconsin	$25,674	$44,432	73.6%	83.6%
25	Concordia University-Wisconsin Mequon, Wisconsin	$26,067	$34,250	64.3%	70.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Wisconsin-Parkside the cheapest music program in Wisconsin?

UW-Parkside offers the lowest net cost at $10,044 annually, with in-state tuition of just $7,855. The university accepts 72.83% of applicants, making admission relatively accessible. However, the graduation rate stands at 39.80%, significantly lower than other UW campuses, which students should consider when evaluating the program's value.

How much do music graduates earn after completing Wisconsin programs?

Music graduate earnings range from $20,140 to $40,945 depending on the institution and career path. UW-Whitewater leads with median earnings of $40,945, while UW-Stevens Point graduates earn $24,421. UW-La Crosse music graduates earn $39,009, demonstrating that higher-cost programs often correlate with better employment outcomes.

Is the cost difference between public and private music programs worth considering?

Private colleges charge significantly more, with Beloit College at $21,924 net cost compared to public options starting at $10,044. However, private institutions often maintain higher graduation rates, with Wisconsin Lutheran College achieving 62.70% compared to some public universities in the 40-50% range. Students must weigh the $10,000+ annual savings against completion likelihood and program quality.

Does University of Wisconsin-Madison offer good value despite higher costs?

UW-Madison charges $16,928 net cost but delivers an strong 89.30% graduation rate, the highest among all programs. The university accepts only 49.06% of applicants, reflecting its selective admissions standards. Music graduates earn $28,236 median salary, positioning Madison as a higher-cost option with strong completion rates and career preparation.

Where can music students find the best combination of affordability and success rates?

UW-La Crosse offers strong value at $15,374 net cost with a solid 71.20% graduation rate and $39,009 in graduate earnings. UW-Eau Claire provides similar benefits at $16,948 with 67.60% graduation rate and $38,505 earnings. Both universities balance reasonable costs with strong completion rates and employment outcomes for music graduates.

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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.