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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general music education at a price that pays off.
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.
For return on investment in general music, no school beat Utah Valley University this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $16,478. Early-career general music graduates make about $24,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Snow College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $10,440. Early-career general music graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Northwest College one of the best values for general music. Set in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,962, with out-of-state students paying around $11,262. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $12,996. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $40,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #4 place for general music. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. General Music graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
University Of Colorado Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $29,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Idaho ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $30,191. That is a strong return on a $23,844 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University placed #7 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $22,983. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #8 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. General Music graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. General Music graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $22,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Utah landed the #9 spot for general music value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $42,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Mesa State College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $43,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #11 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $30,971 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $19,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,971 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #12 position for value in general music this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,354. General Music graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $27,731 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #13 among the best values for general music. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,837 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $46,479. That is a strong return on a $26,837 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #14 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $17,288 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $32,416. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $23,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.