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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Music Schools in Michigan

7 Colleges in the United States
$24,610 Avg Student Debt
$57,515 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Music Badge [Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Music Schools in Michigan

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Music Schools

1

For return on investment in music, no school beat Grand Rapids Community College this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Music graduates carry a median of $11,780 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in music will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for music graduates is $19,397. Early-career music graduates make about $29,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

3

Wayne State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $32,911. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

4
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for music graduates is $27,975. Music graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $24,911 early in their careers. Set against $27,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

5

Eastern Michigan University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the music program here. Music graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

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6

Grand Valley State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value music schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for music graduates is $29,198. Music graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $34,882 early in their careers. Set against $29,198 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

7

Western Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for music. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Music graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $27,361 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

8
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #8 position for value in music this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the music program here. Early-career music graduates make about $40,570. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 85% 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 · 40 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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