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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Music Schools in the New England Region

19 Colleges in the United States
$24,222 Avg Student Debt
$66,775 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Music Badge [General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 68 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general music schools.

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2026 Best Value General Music Schools in the New England Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general music, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Music Schools

1

For return on investment in general music, no school beat University Of Southern Maine this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,003. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.

3

University Of Rhode Island came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Keene State College earned it the #4 place for general music. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,784 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,185 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $41,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Maine At Augusta one of the best values for general music. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $29,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $45,574. Set against $29,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont landed the #6 spot for general music value this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $22,607. Early-career general music graduates make about $44,588. That is a strong return on a $22,607 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

7

Eastern Connecticut State University came in at #7 for value in general music this year. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,928, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. General Music graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. General Music graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $39,573 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

8

Western Connecticut State University earned the #8 position for value in general music this year. Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Danbury. Students from in state pay about $13,401 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Students borrow a median of $26,025 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Western Connecticut State University earn a median of $21,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Connecticut earned the #9 position for value in general music this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $31,336. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.

10

Vermont Technical College came in at #10 for value in general music this year. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,952, while out-of-state students pay about $22,296. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,208. Early-career general music graduates make about $27,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in general music this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. General Music graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $30,716 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.

12

Southern Connecticut State University landed the #12 spot for general music value this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Students borrow a median of $24,660 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $30,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.

14
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University placed #14 among the best values for general music. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $13,025. Early-career general music graduates make about $62,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

15
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #15 position for value in general music this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,957 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $30,982. That is a strong return on a $26,957 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

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Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College earned the #16 position for value in general music this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $16,989. Early-career general music graduates make about $81,992. Set against $16,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.

17
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University came in at #17 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. General Music graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. General Music graduates of Yale University earn a median of $21,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

18
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford placed #18 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $26,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

19

Northeastern University earned the #19 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,568 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $21,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

20
Bennington College crest
Bennington College
Bennington, VT

Bennington College came in at #20 for value in general music this year. Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bennington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Students borrow a median of $26,815 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Bennington College earn a median of $29,031 early in their careers. Set against $26,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bennington College admits about 44% of applicants.

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University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven came in at #21 for value in general music this year. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,332. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $22,171. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

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Notes and References

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 · 68 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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