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Featured Music Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
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2026 Best Value Music Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Schools
For return on investment in music, no school beat Grand Rapids Community College this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Music graduates carry a median of $11,780 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in music will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for music graduates is $19,397. Early-career music graduates make about $29,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $32,911. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,975. Music graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $24,911 early in their careers. Set against $27,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for music graduates is $29,198. Music graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $34,882 early in their careers. Set against $29,198 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Western Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $27,361 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Michigan State University earned the #8 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $40,570. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
