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2022 Best Value Colleges for General Music (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

30 Ranked Colleges
530 Degrees Awarded
$13,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

General Music is the 68th most popular major in the country with 11,573 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across Illinois, there were 530 general music graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 30 colleges that offer a degree in general music. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general music programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general music program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank General Music Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Music (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 32 degrees to qualified ’s general music students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $1,866 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on General Music at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 17 degrees to qualified ’s general music students in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $2,712 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Music at UChicago

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 110 ’s general music degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #4 spot in our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $5,477 for illinois general music students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Music at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#4

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Elgin Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Elgin Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Elgin, Illinois. It awarded 4 ’s general music degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Elgin Community College is $2,384 for illinois general music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Elgin Community College General Music Report

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 37 degrees to qualified ’s general music students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois general music students whose families make $0-$30k list, SIUE has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $8,055 for illinois general music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Music at SIUE

#6

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. EIU is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 20 ’s general music degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also took the #6 spot in our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Illinois University is $12,350 for illinois general music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Music at EIU

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 5 ’s general music degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $10,648 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UIC General Music Report

#8

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a small school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 4 ’s general music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wheaton College Illinois, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,440 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Wheaton College Illinois General Music Report

#9

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general music degrees to 42 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,470 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois State University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Music at Illinois State

#10

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 31 degrees to qualified ’s general music students in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for NIU is $15,281 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northern Illinois University General Music Report

#11

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Macomb, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general music degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Illinois University is $13,942 for illinois general music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Music at Western Illinois University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general music degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $13,658 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale General Music Report

#13

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Millikin University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Millikin University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Decatur, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois general music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Millikin has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Millikin is $17,656 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Millikin General Music Report

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 16 ’s general music degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,816 for illinois general music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Full Northeastern Illinois University General Music Report

#15

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois

North Park University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Park University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

North Park also made our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for North Park University is $17,808 for illinois general music students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on General Music at North Park University

#16

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lake Forest is a small school located in Lake Forest, Illinois that handed out 7 ’s general music degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Forest College is $18,192 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Music at Lake Forest College

#17

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Elmhurst, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general music degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Elmhurst is $16,903 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Music at Elmhurst University

#18

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bradley University is located in Peoria, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 ’s general music degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois general music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bradley has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $17,205 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Bradley University General Music Report

#19

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, University of St Francis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of St Francis is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 2 ’s general music degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend University of St Francis is $15,847 for illinois general music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Music at University of St Francis

#20

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 7 ’s general music degrees in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,806 for illinois general music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Music at Olivet Nazarene University

#21

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Augustana College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rock Island, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Augustana not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Augustana College is $20,355 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Music at Augustana College

#22

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small school located in Bloomington, Illinois that handed out 2 ’s general music degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Wesleyan also made our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Wesleyan is $18,570 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Music at Illinois Wesleyan University

#23

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified ’s general music students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Knox is $16,828 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Knox General Music Report

#24

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Naperville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 degrees to qualified ’s general music students in 2019-2020.

North Central not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best General Music Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $18,889 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Central College.

The low student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full North Central College General Music Report

#25

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Music Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Dominican U is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Dominican University is $17,060 for Illinois General Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on General Music at Dominican University

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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