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2026 Best Value General Music Schools in North Carolina

7 Colleges in the United States
$24,328 Avg Student Debt
$54,380 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Music Badge [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 41 schools to find the best return on investment for general music students.

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2026 Best Value General Music Schools in North Carolina

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

Best Value General Music Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for general music in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. General Music graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. General Music graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for general music. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Music graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $24,315 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

3

Western Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 82%.

4

Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at University Of North Carolina At Asheville, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,501 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. General Music graduates carry a median of $22,108 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $31,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.

5

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $25,858. General Music graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $38,831 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,858 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

6

East Carolina University landed the #6 spot for general music value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $26,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 41 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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