2027 Best Value General Music Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general music students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Music Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Music Schools
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2027 list of the best value general music schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $16,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at Princeton University, which ranked #2. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. General Music graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. General Music graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. General Music graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $19,145. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $11,246. Early-career general music graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #6 spot for general music value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $21,614. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $52,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University earned the #7 position for value in general music this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $41,164. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Delaware placed #8 among the best values for general music. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,334 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $38,417. That is a strong return on a $25,334 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for value in general music this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,128 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $31,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,102 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $19,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey City University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $18,544. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $23,902. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #13 spot for general music value this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,956 in student loans. General Music graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $41,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Schenectady County Community College came in at #14 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #15 position for value in general music this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,163. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. That is a strong return on a $25,163 median debt. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #16 for value in general music this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #17 among the best values for general music. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,541 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $23,127. Set against $23,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University placed #18 among the best values for general music. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $34,264. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #19 spot for general music value this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $26,621. Set against $26,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #20 position for value in general music this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $21,530. Early-career general music graduates make about $17,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Suny At Purchase College placed #21 among the best values for general music. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. General Music graduates carry a median of $22,179 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $22,569. That is a strong return on a $22,179 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $32,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Rowan University landed the #23 spot for general music value this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $26,500. General Music graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $32,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Houghton College earned the #24 position for value in general music this year. Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Houghton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,430. Students borrow a median of $24,725 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $26,934. That is a strong return on a $24,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #25 among the best values for general music. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. General Music graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value General Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general music:
Narrow General Music Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
