by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools to find the best return on investment for general music students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among general music schools in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus one of the best values for general music. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,956. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $41,939. That is a strong return on a $27,956 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for general music. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. 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%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,895 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for general music value this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $17,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Lancaster Bible College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,990. General Music graduates carry a median of $28,507 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $35,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Messiah College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,965. General Music graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $66,109 early in their careers. Set against $25,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University placed #9 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $20,667. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $48,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary admits about 54% of applicants.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne landed the #11 spot for general music value this year. Set in the suburb of Langhorne, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,659 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $28,212. General Music graduates of Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne earn a median of $40,120 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Muhlenberg College came in at #12 for value in general music this year. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. Students from in state pay about $62,805 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $26,259. Early-career general music graduates make about $35,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #13 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. General Music graduates carry a median of $24,431 in student loans. General Music graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $23,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Duquesne University earned the #15 position for value in general music this year. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,986. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. General Music graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $27,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
