[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 1155 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general music schools.
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Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value general music schools in the United States. 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, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $61,459. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for general music. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. General Music graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $22,559. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #4. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. General Music graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. 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, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,469. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $23,969. That is a strong return on a $20,469 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #6 among the best values for general music. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $20,920 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $56,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #7 spot for general music value this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. General Music graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $21,509. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny City College landed the #8 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $19,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #9 among the best values for general music. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. 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. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Northridge placed #10 among the best values for general music. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $15,933. General Music graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $18,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,933 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny York College placed #11 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $49,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Snow College placed #12 among the best values for general music. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. General Music graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. General Music graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $14,882. General Music graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $25,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #14 for value in general music this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $20,550 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $18,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Florida State University earned the #15 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $23,992 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $19,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento earned the #16 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. General Music graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $25,391. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #17 spot for general music value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,567. General Music graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $21,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Utah Valley University placed #18 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $24,952. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Murray State University placed #19 among the best values for general music. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $26,731 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $34,098. Set against $26,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
California State University East Bay landed the #20 spot for general music value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #21 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. General Music graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #22 position for value in general music this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,570. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $47,010. Set against $24,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #23 position for value in general music this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans. General Music graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,770 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University earned the #24 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,810. Early-career general music graduates make about $44,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #25 spot for general music value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $16,500. General Music graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $42,548 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general music:
This list is compiled 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 263 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
