2026 Best Value General Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2026 list of the best value general music schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

2

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $32,666. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

3

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

A rank of #3 makes Northeastern Illinois University one of the best values for general music. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $17,600. General Music graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $49,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.

4

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

A rank of #4 makes Millikin University one of the best values for general music. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,996 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $21,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.

5

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

A rank of #5 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the best values for general music. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. General Music graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $34,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

6

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College landed the #6 spot for general music value this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. General Music graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

8

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #8 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $49,424. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

9

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University landed the #9 spot for general music value this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. General Music graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $41,632. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

10

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University landed the #10 spot for general music value this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $37,163. That is a strong return on a $26,300 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.

11

Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Community College landed the #11 spot for general music value this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $11,780. General Music graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. General Music graduates carry a median of $19,397 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $29,641. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,256. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

14

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #14 for value in general music this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Students borrow a median of $23,677 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $56,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

15

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $31,134. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

16

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,769 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $28,328. Set against $20,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

17

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #17 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,625. General Music graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $25,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

18

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University placed #18 among the best values for general music. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Music graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $32,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

19

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #19 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,518. Early-career general music graduates make about $47,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $31,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

21

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #21 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $26,637. General Music graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $43,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

22

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus landed the #22 spot for general music value this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,836. General Music graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.

23

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #23 among the best values for general music. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,975 in student loans. General Music graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $24,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

24

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #24 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $27,478 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

25

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University earned the #25 position for value in general music this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $32,887. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.