2027 Best Value General Music Schools in Texas
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general music schools.
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2027 Best Value General Music Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Music Schools
Leading the list is The University Of Texas Pan American, our #1 best value for general music in Texas. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,920. Early-career general music graduates make about $56,373. That is a strong return on a $20,920 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for general music. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $20,788. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. General Music graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. General Music graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District landed the #6 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. General Music graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,612 to complete the general music program here. 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.
South Plains College placed #8 among the best values for general music. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $13,788. General Music graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Lamar University landed the #9 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $42,328. Set against $26,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #10 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. General Music graduates carry a median of $24,570 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $47,010. Set against $24,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Tyler Junior College landed the #11 spot for general music value this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $14,869. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University came in at #13 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $25,810 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #14 spot for general music value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,101. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University placed #15 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $11,904. Early-career general music graduates make about $30,454. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. 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. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #17 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $11,376. 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 landed the #18 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $24,911 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $37,020. Set against $24,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Houston earned the #19 position for value in general music this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $26,000. 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 landed the #20 spot for general music value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. General Music graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $37,104. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #21 for value in general music this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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 earned the #22 position for value in general music this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $29,824. General Music graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $53,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of North Texas placed #23 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. General Music graduates carry a median of $24,456 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $36,763. Set against $24,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University earned the #24 position for value in general music this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. General Music graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. General Music graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $59,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University landed the #25 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value General Music Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general music value ranking:
More General Music Rankings
View All General Music Rankings >
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
