by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general music schools.
What’s on this page:
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.
For return on investment in general music, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $22,559. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida International University came in at #2 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. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $14,882. General Music graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $27,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for general music. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. General Music graduates carry a median of $20,567 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $21,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #4. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Music graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Florida State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
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Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #6 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,824 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $38,719. That is a strong return on a $26,824 median debt. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
Stetson University came in at #7 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,410. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $26,548. Early-career general music graduates make about $38,839. That is a strong return on a $26,548 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Jacksonville University earned the #8 position for value in general music this year. Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $48,150 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Jacksonville University generally make around $21,219. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Florida Southern College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,040. Students borrow a median of $25,357 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Florida Southern College generally make around $48,665. Set against $25,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Rollins College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Rollins College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,580. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Music graduates of Rollins College earn a median of $20,745 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tampa landed the #11 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,408 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,191. General Music graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of $45,401 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,191 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Miami ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $13,998. General Music graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,998 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
