2027 Best Value General Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general music students.
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2027 Best Value General Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Music Schools
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general music schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $9,602. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #2 place for general music. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $29,641. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #3 spot this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Stark State College one of the best values for general music. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $17,349. General Music graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $26,300 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $37,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Wayne State University landed the #6 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $26,000. Early-career general music graduates make about $32,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #7 position for value in general music this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $23,730. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $46,566. Set against $23,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University earned the #8 position for value in general music this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $41,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #9 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $25,536. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Western Illinois University came in at #10 for value in general music this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. General Music graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $32,666. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #11 for value in general music this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $31,134. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #12 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $49,254. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,062 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $35,273 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Kent State University At Stark landed the #14 spot for general music value this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Kent State University At Stark is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Kent State University At Stark earn a median of $39,591 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #15 among the best values for general music. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $23,500. Early-career general music graduates make about $34,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #16 for value in general music this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,119. General Music graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University placed #17 among the best values for general music. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #18 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $20,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $28,328. That is a strong return on a $20,769 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #19 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $27,478. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #20 spot for general music value this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $26,637. Early-career general music graduates make about $43,764. Set against $26,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University placed #21 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $27,361. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Cleveland State University came in at #22 for value in general music this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $30,000. Early-career general music graduates make about $32,887. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $28,781. General Music graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #24 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. General Music graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $31,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. Early-career general music graduates make about $35,209. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value General Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general music:
Narrow General Music Schools by State
More General Music Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
