by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for general music students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Stark State College, our #1 best value for general music in Ohio. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #2 place for general music. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. General Music graduates carry a median of $25,062 in student loans. General Music graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $35,273 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #3 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of 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. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $35,209. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Kent State University At Stark is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Kent State University At Stark is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Cleveland State University one of the best values for general music. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. General Music graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $32,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for general music value this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. General Music graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Otterbein University earned the #7 position for value in general music this year. Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. In-state tuition and fees average $35,548. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,282. Early-career general music graduates make about $45,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Otterbein University admits about 84% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent placed #8 among the best values for general music. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $28,000. Early-career general music graduates make about $24,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Capital University landed the #9 spot for general music value this year. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,234. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Capital University earn a median of $33,143 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in general music this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $27,559. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Cedarville University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. General Music graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. General Music graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Set against $22,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #12 for value in general music this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,946 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $22,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Tiffin University came in at #13 for value in general music this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,790. Students borrow a median of $30,977 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Tiffin University earn a median of $51,326 early in their careers. Set against $30,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College placed #14 among the best values for general music. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,832. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Baldwin Wallace College generally make around $46,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford landed the #15 spot for general music value this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $19,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.