2027 Best Value General Music Schools in Tennessee
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general music education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general music schools.
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2027 Best Value General Music Schools in Tennessee
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
Leading the list is The University Of Tennessee Martin, our #1 best value for general music in Tennessee. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $40,400. That is a strong return on a $23,770 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #2 place for general music. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $22,608. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $27,586. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at Austin Peay State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. General Music graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $39,008. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Tennessee Technological University one of the best values for general music. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $44,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at University Of Memphis, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $22,060 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $37,385. That is a strong return on a $22,060 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #6 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. General Music graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University came in at #8 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. General Music graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $30,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Tennessee State University placed #9 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $23,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #10 position for value in general music this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $23,453 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $33,043 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Lee University earned the #11 position for value in general music this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. General Music graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $38,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lee University admits about 70% of applicants.
Lipscomb University landed the #12 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $23,529. General Music graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $19,352 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $42,540 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,988 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $27,517 early in their careers. Set against $25,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
