2026 Best Value General Music Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

For return on investment in general music, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $61,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $13,303. 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. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $19,145. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

4

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.

5

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny York College earned it the #5 place for general music. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $12,573. Early-career general music graduates make about $49,559. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.

6

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University came in at #6 for value in general music this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $41,164. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.

7

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #7 spot for general music value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $8,794. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #8 position for value in general music this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $21,614 in student loans. General Music graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $52,541 early in their careers. Set against $21,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

9

New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey City University earned the #9 position for value in general music this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. General Music graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $18,544. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

10

Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University came in at #10 for value in general music this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Students borrow a median of $23,545 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $45,476. That is a strong return on a $23,545 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

11

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #11 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,102 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Towson University earn a median of $19,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #12 for value in general music this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,334. Early-career general music graduates make about $38,417. Set against $25,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

13

Schenectady County Community College
Schenectady, NY

Schenectady County Community College landed the #13 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,190, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.

14

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University landed the #14 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

15

Suny College At Potsdam
Potsdam, NY

Suny College At Potsdam ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $23,902. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

16

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Indiana, PA

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #16 for value in general music this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,956 in student loans. General Music graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $41,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,956 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

17

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 for value in general music this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.

18

Suny College At Oswego
Oswego, NY

Suny College At Oswego ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,163. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

19

William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ

William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #19 spot for general music value this year. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $26,621. Set against $26,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.

20

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University landed the #20 spot for general music value this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,537. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $34,264. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.

21

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #21 spot for general music value this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. Early-career general music graduates make about $37,660. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

22

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #22 among the best values for general music. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $32,924. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

23

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $17,406. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.

24

Suny At Purchase College
Purchase, NY

Suny At Purchase College placed #24 among the best values for general music. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Students borrow a median of $22,179 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $22,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,179 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

25

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.