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2026 Best Value General Music Schools in Tennessee

9 Colleges in the United States
$24,248 Avg Student Debt
$52,251 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general music education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general music schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Music Schools in Tennessee

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general music degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Music Schools

1

Leading the list is The University Of Tennessee Martin, our #1 best value for general music in Tennessee. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, 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. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #2 place for general music. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,608 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $27,586. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga one of the best values for general music. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $50,000. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $17,500. Early-career general music graduates make about $44,635. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at Tennessee State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $29,489. General Music graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $23,868 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

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6

University Of Memphis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $22,060. General Music graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $37,385 early in their careers. Set against $22,060 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

7

Austin Peay State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. General Music graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $39,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

8

East Tennessee State University landed the #8 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $30,004. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

9

The University Of Tennessee landed the #9 spot for general music value this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,453 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $33,043. Set against $23,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

10
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University placed #10 among the best values for general music. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. General Music graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Music graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

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11
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University landed the #11 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. General Music graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. General Music graduates of Lee University earn a median of $38,249 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

12
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $19,352. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

13
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University earned the #13 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Students borrow a median of $25,988 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $27,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 31 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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