[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general music education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1155 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general music students.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Finding the Best Value General Music School for You
The general music program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value General Music Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Music Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
For return on investment in general music, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. General Music graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $61,459. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for general music. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $22,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for general music. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $16,996. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for general music. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,469. Early-career general music graduates make about $23,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #6 position for value in general music this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $9,384. Early-career general music graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons earned the #7 position for value in general music this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Saddleback College placed #8 among the best values for general music. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #9 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,920. Early-career general music graduates make about $56,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #10 for value in general music this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $21,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
El Centro College earned the #11 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Santa Monica College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Pasadena City College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. General Music graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. General Music graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Cuny City College landed the #14 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,000. General Music graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $19,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Suffolk County Community College placed #15 among the best values for general music. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. General Music graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. General Music graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College came in at #16 for value in general music this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. General Music graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. General Music graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge landed the #17 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $28,106. That is a strong return on a $15,933 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Las Positas College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Austin Community College District earned the #19 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fresno ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Citrus College earned the #21 position for value in general music this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Riverside City College landed the #22 spot for general music value this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #23 for value in general music this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. General Music graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College came in at #24 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. General Music graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $49,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
South Texas College earned the #25 position for value in general music this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $6,868. Early-career general music graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general music:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1155 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 276 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).
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general music education at a price that pays off.
