DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 50.09), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in Music Business" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MBA in Music Business" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 0 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No ESYOH offers, checking direct offers
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured General Music Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Learn More
2026 Best Value General Music Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in general music in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. General Music graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. General Music graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,920. General Music graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $56,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,920 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #3 place for general music. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $6,868. Early-career general music graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #4 place for general music. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. General Music graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. General Music graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tarrant County College District earned it the #5 place for general music. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $15,148. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
San Jacinto Community College earned the #6 position for value in general music this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $11,376. General Music graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Temple College landed the #7 spot for general music value this year. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $16,617. General Music graduates of Temple College earn a median of $55,262 early in their careers. Set against $16,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College earned the #8 position for value in general music this year. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for general music value this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $19,277. Early-career general music graduates make about $49,087. That is a strong return on a $19,277 median debt. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Lone Star College System landed the #10 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $10,425. Early-career general music graduates make about $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,810 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $41,210. Set against $25,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $56,072. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #13 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $14,612. Early-career general music graduates make about $56,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #14 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,570. General Music graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $47,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Tyler Junior College landed the #15 spot for general music value this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #16 for value in general music this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,101. Early-career general music graduates make about $52,282. Set against $27,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Rice University placed #17 among the best values for general music. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $11,904. Early-career general music graduates make about $30,454. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Lamar University earned the #18 position for value in general music this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,407 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $42,328. Set against $26,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston landed the #19 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $52,799. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. General Music graduates carry a median of $21,504 in student loans. General Music graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $26,653 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Midwestern State University came in at #21 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $49,638. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #22 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,959. General Music graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $37,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas placed #23 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,456 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $36,763 early in their careers. Set against $24,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northern Arizona University came in at #24 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. General Music graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #25 among the best values for general music. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $48,405 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value General Music Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general music this year:
Narrow General Music Schools by State
[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.
