2027 Best Value General Music Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools to find the best return on investment for general music students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Music Schools in the Southwest 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
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas Pan American the best value for a degree in general music in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $20,920 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $56,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $20,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tarrant County College District earned it the #4 place for general music. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $14,557. Early-career general music graduates make about $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College came in at #7 for value in general music this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #8 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $14,612. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $56,062. Set against $14,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for general music value this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $19,277 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $49,087. That is a strong return on a $19,277 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Lamar University earned the #10 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,407 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $42,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #11 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,570. Early-career general music graduates make about $47,010. That is a strong return on a $24,570 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $19,026. General Music graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Tyler Junior College landed the #13 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System earned the #14 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Texas Womans University came in at #15 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. General Music graduates carry a median of $25,810 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $41,210. Set against $25,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #16 position for value in general music this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,101 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $52,282. That is a strong return on a $27,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rice University came in at #17 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. General Music graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $30,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #18 among the best values for general music. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $56,072. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #19 for value in general music this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. General Music graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,911. Early-career general music graduates make about $37,020. Set against $24,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Houston ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $52,799. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #22 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,959. General Music graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $37,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northern Arizona University came in at #23 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. General Music graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #24 among the best values for general music. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $48,405. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Prairie View A And M University placed #25 among the best values for general music. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $53,784 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value General Music Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general music this year:
Narrow General Music Schools by State
More General Music Rankings
View All General Music Rankings >
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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
