2027 Best Value General Music Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 25 schools to find the best return on investment for general music students.
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2027 Best Value General Music Schools in the The Plains States Region
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 Valley City State University, our #1 best value for general music in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,074. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $48,241. Set against $25,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Truman State University one of the best values for general music. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $23,168. Early-career general music graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,144 early in their careers. Set against $23,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wichita State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. General Music graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Missouri earned it the #5 place for general music. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. General Music graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. General Music graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $30,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #6 among the best values for general music. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $21,783. General Music graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $20,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $46,744 early in their careers. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #8 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,153. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $54,076. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #10 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $28,677. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #11 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,373. Early-career general music graduates make about $48,098. Set against $25,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University landed the #12 spot for general music value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $23,496. General Music graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $54,204 early in their careers. Set against $23,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas came in at #13 for value in general music this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $31,244 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #14 among the best values for general music. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $46,503. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,427. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $31,780. Set against $24,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Kansas State University landed the #16 spot for general music value this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,543. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University placed #17 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,876. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $42,039. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #18 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $35,939 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota earned the #19 position for value in general music this year. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $46,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Gustavus Adolphus College placed #20 among the best values for general music. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,197 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $44,396. Set against $26,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Iowa placed #21 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,783. General Music graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $41,656 early in their careers. Set against $27,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Luther College came in at #22 for value in general music this year. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. Early-career general music graduates make about $45,367. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
St Olaf College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $23,750. Early-career general music graduates make about $24,732. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia College At Moorhead came in at #24 for value in general music this year. Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,170. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead generally make around $44,611. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia College At Moorhead admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #25 for value in general music this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
