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

62 Colleges in the United States
$24,074 Avg Student Debt
$53,526 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Music Badge [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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 271 schools to find the best return on investment for general music students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Music Schools in the Southeast Region

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

Best Value General Music Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general music in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. General Music graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. 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%.

2

Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $14,882. Early-career general music graduates make about $27,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #3 place for general music. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,567 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $21,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for general music. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. General Music graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $32,880. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

5
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #5 place for general music. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $23,992. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $26,311. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

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6

Murray State University earned the #6 position for value in general music this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $26,731. Early-career general music graduates make about $34,098. Set against $26,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

7

The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $40,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. 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. The acceptance rate is 43%.

9

Eastern Kentucky University came in at #9 for value in general music this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. General Music graduates carry a median of $20,379 in student loans. General Music graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $30,106 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,379 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

10

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #10 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $24,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

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Tidewater Community College earned the #11 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $14,001 in student loans. General Music graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $35,627 early in their careers. Set against $14,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $17,250. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $38,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.

13

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #13 position for value in general music this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $22,608. Early-career general music graduates make about $27,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.

14

Morehead State University came in at #14 for value in general music this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. General Music graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $31,088. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.

15

Western Carolina University placed #15 among the best values for general music. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Music graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $26,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

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16

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #16 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $23,324. General Music graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of North Alabama earned the #17 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. General Music graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $35,599. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

18

West Virginia University landed the #18 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $26,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

19

Tennessee State University placed #19 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $29,489. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $23,868. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

20

University Of Memphis placed #20 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $22,060 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $37,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.

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21

University Of Georgia ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $22,344 in student loans. General Music graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $24,514 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

22

Tennessee Technological University placed #22 among the best values for general music. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $44,635. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.

23

University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #23 among the best values for general music. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Students borrow a median of $22,108 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $31,821. Set against $22,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

24

Valdosta State University landed the #24 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $28,661. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $44,914. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.

25

Columbus State University earned the #25 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Music Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general music:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
42
43
44
45
46
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
47
48
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 271 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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