2023 Best Value Colleges for Music in the Far Western US Region
62
Ranked Colleges
4,440
Degrees Awarded
$13,300
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
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 the Far Western US region, there were 4,440 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,019 and $23,227 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking, we looked at 62 colleges that offer 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.
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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The music school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Music in the Far Western US Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 129 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Music Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $10,054 for Far Western US Region Music students per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read more about Music at California State University - Long Beach
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 174 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for far western us region music students.
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 more about Music at California State University - Northridge
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nevada - Las Vegas. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this large public school awarded 54 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
UNLV not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Music Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNLV is $10,993 for Far Western US Region Music students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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%.
Read full report on Music at UNLV
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Jose State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region list. San Jose, 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.
San Jose State also made our “Best Music Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $16,542 for far western us region music students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read full report on Music at San Jose State University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central Washington University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region. Ellensburg, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.
CWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Music Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for CWU is $16,514 for Far Western US Region Music students.
Full CWU Music Report
California State University - Fresno ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 52 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,230 for far western us region music students per year to attend Fresno State.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 California State University - Fresno Music Report
California State University - Fullerton came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 89 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for far western us region music students.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.
Full Cal State Fullerton Music Report
San Francisco State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $14,459 for Far Western US Region Music students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at San Francisco State University
California State University - Sacramento came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 56 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,178 for far western us region music students per year to attend Sac State.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music at California State University - Sacramento
California State University - Chico came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. California State University - Chico is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 48 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $16,218 for Far Western US Region Music students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Chico Music Report
With a ranking of #11, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region list. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 71 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Music Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $13,845 for far western us region music students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Music at San Diego State University
California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school handed out 22 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $13,298 for far western us region music students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State East Bay Music Report
Western Washington University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. WWU is a fairly large school located in Bellingham, Washington that handed out 22 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend WWU is $17,070 for far western us region music students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at WWU
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. 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.
It costs about $14,304 for far western us region music students per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Cal Poly Pomona Music Report
Sonoma State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Rohnert Park, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $17,563 for far western us region music students per year to attend SSU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%.
Read more about Music at Sonoma State University
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 14 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $8,107 for far western us region music students.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Music at CSUSB
University of Nevada - Reno ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region list. UNR is a large school located in Reno, Nevada that handed out 36 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,930 for far western us region music students per year to attend UNR.
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%.
Full UNR Music Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 8 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region music students list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for Far Western US Region Music students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Music Report
California State University - Los Angeles ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 57 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,302 for far western us region music students 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 more about Music at Cal State LA
Washington State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #20. Washington State University is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 30 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Washington State University is $15,300 for Far Western US Region Music students.
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 more about Music at Wazzu
Azusa Pacific University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Azusa, California. It awarded 51 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Azusa Pacific University is $30,744 for far western us region music students.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at Azusa Pacific
Portland State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Portland, Oregon, this large public school awarded 38 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,498 for Far Western US Region Music students per year to attend Portland State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at Portland State University
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #23. Turlock, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Stan State is $6,566 for far western us region music students.
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
With a ranking of #24, California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region list. CSUMB is located in Seaside, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $13,597 for Far Western US Region Music students per year to attend California State University - Monterey Bay.
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 CSUMB
With a ranking of #25, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in San Marcos, California, this fairly large public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUSM is $13,218 for Far Western US Region Music students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music at California State University - San Marcos
