2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Music (Income $48-$75k) in California

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Music Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 27,047 people earned their degree in music, making the major the 40th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, music graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $25,639 and had an average of $28,653 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 3,681 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $20,710 and $32,646 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 1,220 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,451 and $19,634 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 5 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in music. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent music programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the music program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Music Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Music Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Music Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california associate degree music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 5 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Music (Income $48-$75k) in California

#1

Mt. San Antonio College

Walnut, California

#3 in overall quality

$4,374 Average Net Price

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Mt. San Antonio College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Music Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Mt. SAC is a public institution located in Walnut, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mt. SAC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Music Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mt. San Antonio College is $4,374 for california associate degree music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Music at Mt. San Antonio College

#2

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, California

#2 in overall quality

$8,027 Average Net Price

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Santa Rosa Junior College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Music Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Santa Rosa, California, this fairly large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified associates’s music students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SRJC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Music Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,027 for California Associate Degree Music students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Santa Rosa Junior College.

Full SRJC Music Report

#3

Pacific Union College

Angwin, California

#4 in overall quality

$20,083 Average Net Price

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pacific Union College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Music Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Angwin, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified associates’s music students in 2019-2020.

PUC also took the #4 spot in our “Best Music Associate Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $20,083 for california associate degree music students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Pacific Union College.

Full PUC Music Report

#4

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California

#1 in overall quality

$38,617 Average Net Price

Out of the 5 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Academy of Art University landed the #4 spot on the list. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 5 associates’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Academy of Art University also made our “Best Music Associate Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Academy of Art University is $38,617 for california associate degree music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Academy of Art University Music Report

#5

Los Angeles Film School

Hollywood, California

#5 in overall quality

$31,795 Average Net Price

$20,400 Average Early-Career Earnings

Out of the 5 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for an Associate in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Los Angeles Film School landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Hollywood, California, this medium-sized private for-profit school handed out 575 diplomas to qualified associates’s music students in 2019-2020.

LA Film School not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Music Associate Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Los Angeles Film School is $31,795 for california associate degree music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Music at LA Film School

• Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Music (Income $48-$75k) in the Far Western US Region
• Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Music (Income $48-$75k)

Notes and References

References

• 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).
• Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

• *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
• Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Featured Performing Arts Schools

Request Info

Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More >