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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.
Learn More
2026 Best Value General Music Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Music Schools
California State University Dominguez Hills tops our 2026 list of the best value general music schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #2 place for general music. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Sequoias one of the best values for general music. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. General Music graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #4 place for general music. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Music graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, 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.
ADBLOCK #101
Saddleback College placed #6 among the best values for general music. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #7 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College ranked #8 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. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #9 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $21,509. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Citrus College placed #10 among the best values for general music. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
California State University Fresno placed #16 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Bakersfield College earned the #17 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
California State University Northridge ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,933 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $28,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #19 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,550 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $21,916 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Los Angeles City College placed #20 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. General Music graduates carry a median of $10,763 in student loans. General Music graduates of Los Angeles City College earn a median of $83,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,763 median debt.
Fullerton College landed the #21 spot for general music value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
California State University Sacramento earned the #22 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. General Music graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $25,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Stanford University placed #23 among the best values for general music. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
California State University East Bay ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $18,073. General Music graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #25 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $31,000. Early-career general music graduates make about $47,151. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general music:
Narrow General Music Schools by State
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general music education at a price that pays off.
