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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 United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Music Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value general music schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $17,669. Early-career general music graduates make about $22,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #3 place for general music. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $16,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,933 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $37,985 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for general music. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $21,509 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #6 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. General Music graduates carry a median of $20,920 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $56,373. Set against $20,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida International University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $29,478. That is a strong return on a $14,882 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University placed #8 among the best values for general music. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $10,492. General Music graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $20,567 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $21,957. Set against $20,567 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
California State University Long Beach placed #10 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,550. Early-career general music graduates make about $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #11 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $16,500. Early-career general music graduates make about $25,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #12 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $29,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Florida State University earned the #13 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. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $26,016. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for general music. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah landed the #15 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $42,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #16 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $14,612. Early-career general music graduates make about $56,062. That is a strong return on a $14,612 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in general music this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. General Music graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $38,029 early in their careers. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Rice University came in at #18 for value in general music this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. General Music graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $30,454. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #19 among the best values for general music. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans. General Music graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,932 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #20 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. General Music graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. General Music graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $27,586 early in their careers. Set against $22,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #21 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. General Music graduates carry a median of $24,570 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $47,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $52,799 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University earned the #23 position for value in general music this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $32,666. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Eastern Washington University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. General Music graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University came in at #25 for value in general music this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $31,621. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Music Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general music this year:
Other General Music Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general music schools at other degree levels:
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
