2027 Best Value General Music Schools in Georgia

[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 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general music students.
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2027 Best Value General Music Schools in Georgia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Music Schools
Our analysis ranked Valdosta State University the best value for a degree in general music in Georgia. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. General Music graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $44,914. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $26,789. General Music graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $46,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $22,344 in student loans. General Music graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $24,514 early in their careers. Set against $22,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Columbus State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. Early-career general music graduates make about $51,154. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,400 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. That is a strong return on a $23,400 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University landed the #6 spot for general music value this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $26,500. Early-career general music graduates make about $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mercer University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,565. General Music graduates carry a median of $32,463 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $56,699. That is a strong return on a $32,463 median debt. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
More General Music Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.