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Featured General 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 General Music Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Music Schools
Leading the list is Mt San Antonio College, our #1 best value for general music in the United States. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #2. 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, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. General Music graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #3 spot this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. General Music graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #4 place for general music. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #5 place for general music. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. General Music graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Suffolk County Community College landed the #6 spot for general music value this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Fresno City College came in at #7 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. General Music graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Las Positas College came in at #8 for value in general music this year. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Austin Community College District earned the #9 position for value in general music this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. 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. General Music graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Riverside City College came in at #10 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #16 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $8,794. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snow College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. General Music graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $15,148. General Music graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Charles Community College earned the #19 position for value in general music this year. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $12,606. General Music graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University landed the #20 spot for general music value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $16,478. General Music graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $24,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #21 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Bakersfield College came in at #22 for value in general music this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. General Music graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System came in at #23 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College placed #24 among the best values for general music. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $13,788. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Fullerton College came in at #25 for value in general music this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value General Music Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general music this year:
Other General Music Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Music rankings across degree levels:
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
