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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

41 Ranked Colleges
1,125 Degrees Awarded
$26,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Music is the 40th most popular major in the country with 27,047 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 the Great Lakes region, there were 4,025 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,684 and $28,070 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,125 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 41 colleges that offer a degree 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.

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

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s music degrees to 53 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree music students whose families make $48-$75k list, Northwestern has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern Music Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at University of Chicago

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 77 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

U-M also took the #2 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at U-M

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree music students whose families make $48-$75k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Full UW - Madison Music Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 47 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Read full report on Music at UIUC

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

With a ranking of #6, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 193 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #3 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at IU Bloomington

#7

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Eastern Illinois University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Illinois University are $20,761, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at EIU

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 12 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at Ohio State

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 8 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300.

Read more about Music at SIUE

#11

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Oakland University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Oakland University is a fairly large school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 4 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree music students whose families make $48-$75k list, Oakland has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland University are $24,648, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Oakland University Music Report

#12

Indiana University - South Bend

South Bend, Indiana

With a ranking of #12, Indiana University - South Bend did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Indiana University - South Bend is a public institution located in South Bend, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Indiana University - South Bend also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - South Bend are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - South Bend Music Report

#13

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. NIU is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 29 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086.

Read full report on Music at Northern Illinois University

#14

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

Central Michigan University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Central Michigan is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at Central Michigan University

#15

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

With a ranking of #15, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Wayne State University is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 5 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at Wayne State

#16

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

Western Illinois University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 13 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996.

Full Western Illinois University Music Report

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 9 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#18

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. This fairly large school is located in Youngstown, Ohio, and it awarded 10 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Youngstown State University are $9,495, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Youngstown State University Music Report

#19

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ball State is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 8 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree music students whose families make $48-$75k list, Ball State has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ball State Music Report

#20

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Eastern Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It awarded 4 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Michigan University are $26,552, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Eastern Michigan Music Report

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032.

Read more about Music at Northeastern Illinois University

#22

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 25 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree music students whose families make $48-$75k list, Illinois State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at Illinois State University

#23

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana

With a ranking of #23, Indiana State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Indiana State is a public institution located in Terre Haute, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Indiana State also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State are $15,346, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at Indiana State University

#23

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

North Park University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. North Park University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

North Park did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Park are $14,076, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at North Park

#25

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 49 degrees to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Michigan State University Music Report

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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.

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