2026 Best Value General Music Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 129 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general music schools.
What’s on this page:
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 The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Music Schools
St Charles Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general music schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truman State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #2 spot this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Missouri St Louis one of the best values for general music. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. General Music graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $35,835. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $23,089. Early-career general music graduates make about $32,144. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $19,500. General Music graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $32,175 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #6 position for value in general music this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $21,783. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $20,881. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Wichita State University landed the #7 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,262. General Music graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #8 among the best values for general music. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $46,744. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. General Music graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. General Music graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. General Music graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $28,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #11 spot for general music value this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $30,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Emporia State University earned the #12 position for value in general music this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,131 in student loans. General Music graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $46,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. General Music graduates carry a median of $25,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $48,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas placed #14 among the best values for general music. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $31,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #15 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $46,503. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kansas State University earned the #16 position for value in general music this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. General Music graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #17 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,427. General Music graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $31,780 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #18 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Music graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $35,939 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of South Dakota came in at #19 for value in general music this year. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $26,322. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $46,183. Set against $26,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University earned the #20 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,876. Early-career general music graduates make about $42,039. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Iowa ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,783. Early-career general music graduates make about $41,656. Set against $27,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
St Olaf College landed the #22 spot for general music value this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,760 in tuition and fees. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $24,732. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Luther College landed the #23 spot for general music value this year. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Music graduates of Luther College earn a median of $45,367 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia College At Moorhead placed #24 among the best values for general music. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,170. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. General Music graduates of Concordia College At Moorhead earn a median of $44,611 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Gustavus Adolphus College placed #25 among the best values for general music. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,076. Students borrow a median of $26,197 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. That is a strong return on a $26,197 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Music Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general music value ranking:
Narrow General Music Schools by State
More General Music Rankings
View All General Music Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 129 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
