by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 339 schools to find the best return on investment for general music students.
What’s on this page:
The right general music school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value General Music Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Music Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general music in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. General Music graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $22,559. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $16,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Moorpark College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #5 place for general music. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $20,920 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $56,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #6 for value in general music this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $21,509 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Monica College earned the #7 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
California State University Northridge earned the #8 position for value in general music this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $28,106. That is a strong return on a $15,933 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $27,724. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
West Valley College placed #10 among the best values for general music. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny City College came in at #11 for value in general music this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $19,145 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #12 among the best values for general music. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $9,602. Early-career general music graduates make about $41,313. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #13 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. General Music graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #14 position for value in general music this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. General Music graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $15,095. Early-career general music graduates make about $20,788. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
California State University Fullerton placed #16 among the best values for general music. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,469. Early-career general music graduates make about $23,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Pasadena City College placed #17 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. General Music graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College landed the #18 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College landed the #19 spot for general music value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #20 position for value in general music this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #21 spot for general music value this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #22 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Utah Valley University landed the #23 spot for general music value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. General Music graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $24,952. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Citrus College earned the #25 position for value in general music this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general music value ranking:
The following schools rounded out the strongest general music values:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA | Full Report |
A few more high-value general music schools worth a look:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #52 | University Of California San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Full Report |
| #53 | Murray State University | Murray, KY | Full Report |
| #54 | South Plains College | Levelland, TX | Full Report |
| #55 | California State Polytechnic University Pomona | Pomona, CA | Full Report |
| #56 | The University Of Tennessee Martin | Martin, TN | Full Report |
| #57 | Fresno City College | Fresno, CA | Full Report |
| #58 | Stark State College | North Canton, OH | Full Report |
| #59 | Weber State University | Ogden, UT | Full Report |
| #60 | Oakland University | Rochester Hills, MI | Full Report |
| #61 | Chabot College | Hayward, CA | Full Report |
| #62 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Full Report |
| #63 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA | Full Report |
| #64 | University Of California Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Full Report |
| #65 | Texas Womans University | Denton, TX | Full Report |
| #66 | Sonoma State University | Rohnert Park, CA | Full Report |
| #67 | Morehead State University | Morehead, KY | Full Report |
| #68 | Lone Star College System | The Woodlands, TX | Full Report |
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Music. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 339 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 339 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.