DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 50.09), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in Music Business" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MBA in Music Business" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 0 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No ESYOH offers, checking direct offers
ADVERTISEMENTS
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 Illinois
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
For return on investment in general music, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,115. Early-career general music graduates make about $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for general music. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $30,000. Early-career general music graduates make about $32,666. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at Millikin University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Students borrow a median of $26,996 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $21,138. Set against $26,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern Illinois University earned it the #4 place for general music. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for general music. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #6 among 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. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $34,079. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #7 spot for general music value this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,300 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $37,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #8 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $25,536. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Illinois State University came in at #9 for value in general music this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. General Music graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Music graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $35,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Roosevelt University landed the #10 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $29,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
