by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general music students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Truman State University, our #1 best value for general music in Missouri. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $32,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for general music. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $30,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri State University Springfield earned it the #4 place for general music. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,408. Early-career general music graduates make about $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,876 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $42,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #6 spot for general music value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $35,939. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.