2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
38
Ranked Colleges
3,612
Degrees Awarded
$9,200
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 25,910 people earned their degree in music, making the major the 43rd most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, music graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $27,160 and had an average of $24,560 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 3,612 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $23,084 and $22,049 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 38 colleges that offered a degree in music. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great music programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the music program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Music Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Music (Income $30-$48k) in California
Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 114 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Music Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,891 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCLA.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of California - Los Angeles Music Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 54 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california music students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Music Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,999 for California Music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music at UC Berkeley
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 57 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $2,701 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State LA.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at California State University - Los Angeles
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 89 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Music Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $5,821 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music at California State University - Fullerton
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,655 for California Music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Fresno.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Full California State University - Fresno Music Report
With a ranking of #6, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 129 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
CSULB also took the #13 spot in our “Best Music Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,573 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSULB.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Music at CSULB
University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 42 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also made our “Best Music Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $8,449 for California Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Music at UC Irvine
California State University - Northridge ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 174 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california music students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUN has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Music Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,103 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUN.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at CSUN
University of California - San Diego came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Music Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,176 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music at UCSD
University of Southern California landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 182 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Music Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $17,345 for California Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Music at USC
California State University - Stanislaus landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Stan State is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $4,903 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stan State.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at California State University - Stanislaus
California State University - Sacramento came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 56 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
Sac State also made our “Best Music Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $9,055 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Sac State Music Report
University of California - Davis came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also took the #10 spot in our “Best Music Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $11,598 for California Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Full UC Davis Music Report
University of California - Riverside came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Music Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $8,193 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Music at UCR
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,613 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUSB.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full CSUSB Music Report
San Diego State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 71 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Music Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $9,274 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Music at San Diego State University
California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. CSUDH is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 13 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,329 for California Music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at CSUDH
University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Music Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $11,606 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UCSB Music Report
With a ranking of #19, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 52 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california music students whose families make $30-$48k list, San Jose State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Music Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $13,378 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music at San Jose State University
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona also took the #24 spot in our “Best Music Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $12,992 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Full Cal Poly Pomona Music Report
With a ranking of #21, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 25 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Music Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,049 for california music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at University of California - Santa Cruz
California State University - East Bay landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 22 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,025 for California Music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - East Bay.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at Cal State East Bay
San Francisco State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Music Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $11,862 for California Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at San Francisco State University
California State University - Chico came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Chico is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 48 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Music Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,040 for California Music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Chico State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Music at Chico State
San Diego Mesa College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. This fairly large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 10 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend San Diego Mesa College is $5,543 for California Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Music at San Diego Mesa College
