ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Music Schools in the Southeast Region

62 Colleges in the United States
1,449 General Music Degrees Awarded
$36,677 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Music is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 271 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general music students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
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

Best Schools for General Music in the Southeast Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general music degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Music

1

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general music. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 13 general music degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. General Music graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,880 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general music from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

2
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. About 85 general music degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the general music program make about $22,559 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669. See the full general music program report for University Of Florida

3

University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general music, ranking #3. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 30 general music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Typical student debt for the program is $18,131. See the full general music program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

4

Students looking for a strong general music program will find one at University Of Mississippi Main Campus, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the town of University. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 36 general music degrees were awarded at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent year. General Music graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $38,029 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete this degree. See the full general music program report for University Of Mississippi Main Campus

5

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #5 spot this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 general music degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $60,004 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general music details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

6

George Mason University earned the #6 position for general music this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 17 general music degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $34,841. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $24,048 in student loans. Read more about the general music program at George Mason University

7

Tennessee Technological University earned the #7 position for general music this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Tennessee Technological University graduates 58% of students within six years. Tennessee Technological University awarded about 20 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $44,635. Tennessee Technological University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. See the full general music program report for Tennessee Technological University

8

The University Of Tennessee landed the #8 spot for general music this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 71 general music degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. General Music graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $33,043 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $23,453 in student loans. More information about a degree in general music from The University Of Tennessee

9

Tulane University Of Louisiana earned the #9 position for general music this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates 86% of students within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 20 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from Tulane University Of Louisiana earn around $54,082 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,077. Read more about the general music program at Tulane University Of Louisiana

10

University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #10 for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Birmingham. About 64% of students finish within six years. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 16 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $55,413 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete this degree. See the full general music program report for University Of Alabama At Birmingham

11

The University Of Alabama earned the #11 position for general music this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 50 general music degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Typical student debt for the program is $25,675. Read more about the general music program at The University Of Alabama

12

University Of Central Florida placed #12 among the best general music schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. University Of Central Florida awarded about 18 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $21,957 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,567. See the full general music program report for University Of Central Florida

13
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #13 for general music this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Florida State University awarded about 58 general music degrees in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $26,311 early in their careers. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $23,992 in student loans. Get the full general music details for Florida State University

14

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #14 for general music this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 60 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $27,586 in their early career. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. More information about a degree in general music from Middle Tennessee State University

15

Florida International University came in at #15 for general music this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. Florida International University awarded about 59 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from Florida International University earn around $27,481 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,882. Read more about the general music program at Florida International University

16

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates 66% of students within six years. About 26 general music degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $28,530. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $19,455 in student loans. More information about a degree in general music from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

17

University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #17 among the best general music schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 50 general music students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $38,397 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general music from University Of South Carolina Columbia

18

University Of Georgia earned the #18 position for general music this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 general music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from University Of Georgia earn around $24,514 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,344 in student loans. Read more about the general music program at University Of Georgia

19
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston earned the #19 position for general music this year. This large public university is located in the city of Charleston. College Of Charleston graduates 66% of students within six years. About 19 general music degrees were awarded at College Of Charleston in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from College Of Charleston earn around $40,222 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,733. See the full general music program report for College Of Charleston

20

The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #20 spot for general music this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Martin. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates 52% of students within six years. About 10 general music degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from The University Of Tennessee Martin earn around $40,400 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete this degree. Read more about the general music program at The University Of Tennessee Martin

21

Western Carolina University landed the #21 spot for general music this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Western Carolina University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 10 general music degrees were awarded at Western Carolina University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from Western Carolina University earn around $26,135 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general music details for Western Carolina University

22

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates 50% of students within six years. About 19 general music degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn around $50,000 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete this degree. Read more about the general music program at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

23

University Of Louisville ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. University Of Louisville graduates 61% of students within six years. About 55 general music degrees were awarded at University Of Louisville in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from University Of Louisville earn around $19,816 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,745 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general music from University Of Louisville

24

University Of Kentucky placed #24 among the best general music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lexington. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. University Of Kentucky awarded about 24 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $30,818. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the general music program at University Of Kentucky

25

East Carolina University landed the #25 spot for general music this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 general music degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general music program make about $26,222 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full general music details for East Carolina University

Rest of the Top 50 General Music Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general music education:

26
27
28
29
30
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
31
32
33
34
Jacksonville University crest
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL
35
36
37
38
39
Rollins College crest
Rollins College
Winter Park, FL
40
41
42
43
44
45
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC
46
47
48
49
50

ADBLOCK #173
View All General Music Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 271 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options