by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general music education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 88 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general music students.
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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.
Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for general music in Texas. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, 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. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes South Texas College one of the best values for general music. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #3 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,920. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $56,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Tarrant County College District one of the best values for general music. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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San Jacinto Community College landed the #6 spot for general music value this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Temple College came in at #7 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. General Music graduates carry a median of $16,617 in student loans. General Music graduates of Temple College earn a median of $55,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
South Plains College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System came in at #9 for value in general music this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. General Music graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. General Music graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. 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 placed #11 among the best values for general music. 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, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,612 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $56,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,612 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas Womans University came in at #12 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $25,810 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $41,210. That is a strong return on a $25,810 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #13 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, 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. Set against $24,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Tyler Junior College came in at #14 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, 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. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rice University placed #15 among the best values for general music. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $30,454. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Lamar University came in at #16 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,407 in student loans. General Music graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $42,328 early in their careers. Set against $26,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Houston landed the #17 spot for general music value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $52,799. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #18 position for value in general music this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,101. General Music graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $52,282 early in their careers. Set against $27,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University earned the #19 position for value in general music this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $26,415. Early-career general music graduates make about $49,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas earned the #20 position for value in general music this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $24,456 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $36,763. That is a strong return on a $24,456 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #21 position for value in general music this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,959. Early-career general music graduates make about $37,104. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #22 spot for general music value this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. Early-career general music graduates make about $48,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #23 position for value in general music this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. General Music graduates carry a median of $24,911 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $37,020. That is a strong return on a $24,911 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Prairie View A And M University placed #24 among the best values for general music. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $29,824. General Music graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $53,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Students borrow a median of $26,544 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $22,833. Set against $26,544 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
These schools also delivered strong value for general music this year:
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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 · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
