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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Music

407 Ranked Colleges
11,232 Degrees Awarded
$15,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Music Schools

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value General Music Schools” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 11,232 people earned their degree in general music, making the major the 73rd most popular in the United States.

For this year’s “Best Value General Music Schools” ranking, we looked at 407 colleges that offer a degree in general music. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general music programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general music program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Music Schools” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value General Music Schools

The colleges and universities below are the best for general music students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Music

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value General Music Schools list. BYU is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 15 ’s general music degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, BYU also did well on our “Best General Music Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best General Music Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Brigham Young University - Provo is $13,474 for general music students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read full report on General Music at BYU

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value General Music Schools list. Fargo, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general music degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, North Dakota State University is also in the top of our “Best General Music Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $16,998 for General Music students per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Music at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Music Schools. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general music degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UNI also did well on our “Best General Music Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best General Music Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $16,438 for general music students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Music at UNI

4
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Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Truman State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Music Schools. Truman State University is a small school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 23 ’s general music degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Truman State University is $12,301 for General Music students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Music at Truman State University

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend West Texas A&M University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Music Schools. West Texas A&M University is a medium-sized school located in Canyon, Texas that handed out 47 ’s general music degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,033 for General Music students per year to attend West Texas A&M University.

Read full report on General Music at West Texas A&M University

6
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University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Music Schools ranking. USD is a public institution located in Vermillion, South Dakota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of South Dakota is $19,389 for general music students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Music at University of South Dakota

7
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Music Schools list. Florida State is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 53 ’s general music degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Florida State is in the top on our “Best General Music Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $9,946 for general music students per year to attend Florida State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Music at Florida State

8

University of North Texas came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Music Schools ranking. University of North Texas is a large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 107 ’s general music degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, UNT is in the top on our “Best General Music Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $14,122 for general music students per year to attend UNT.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on General Music at UNT

9

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Music Schools ranking. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general music degrees to 46 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $16,051 for general music students.

Read full report on General Music at UW - Eau Claire

10

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Music Schools ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is a public institution located in Akron, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $17,945 for general music students.

Read full report on General Music at University of Akron Main Campus

11
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Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value General Music Schools list. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public institution located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is $19,927 for general music students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Music at SRU

11

Illinois State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Music Schools ranking. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general music degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $20,830 for general music students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Music at Illinois State

13

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Music Schools ranking. This large school is located in Edinburg, Texas, and it awarded 46 ’s general music degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UT Rio Grande Valley is $3,743 for General Music students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Music at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

14

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value General Music Schools list. Whitewater, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general music degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,417 for General Music students per year to attend UW - Whitewater.

Read full report on General Music at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

15
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University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

With a ranking of #15, University of Southern Mississippi did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Music Schools list. Southern Miss is a fairly large school located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi that handed out 59 ’s general music degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,032 for general music students per year to attend Southern Miss.

Read more about General Music at Southern Miss

16

With a ranking of #16, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Music Schools list. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school handed out 32 diplomas to qualified ’s general music students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $16,718 for General Music students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Music at Missouri State

17

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Music Schools ranking. UW - Stevens Point is a medium-sized public school situated in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It awarded 4 ’s general music degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Stevens Point is $13,346 for General Music students.

Full UW - Stevens Point General Music Report

18
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Music Schools ranking. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general music degrees to 122 students in 2020-2021.

Texas Tech excels when it comes to general music quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best General Music Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech is $16,194 for general music students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about General Music at Texas Tech University

19

University of Central Oklahoma did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Music Schools ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Edmond, Oklahoma, this fairly large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s general music students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UCO is $17,339 for General Music students.

Read full report on General Music at UCO

19
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El Centro College
Dallas, Texas

El Centro College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Music Schools list. El Centro College is located in Dallas, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s general music degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $4,739 for General Music students per year to attend El Centro College.

Read more about General Music at El Centro College

21
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Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Music Schools ranking. WMU is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,371 for General Music students per year to attend Western Michigan University.

Full WMU General Music Report

22
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University of Houston
Houston, Texas

With a ranking of #22, University of Houston did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Music Schools list. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school awarded 88 degrees to qualified ’s general music students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UH is also in the top of our “Best General Music Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best General Music Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Houston is $13,721 for general music students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UH General Music Report

23
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Music Schools ranking. Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s general music degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Liberty University is $29,382 for general music students.

Read more about General Music at Liberty University

23

With a ranking of #23, University of Central Arkansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Music Schools list. Conway, Arkansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general music degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UCA is $16,554 for General Music students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Music at UCA

25
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Music Schools ranking, coming in at #25. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 8 ’s general music degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,007 for general music students per year to attend Central Michigan University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Music at Central Michigan

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value General Music Schools

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
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Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina
27
28
29
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West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania
30
31
32
33
34
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University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware
35
36
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University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
37
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Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
38
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University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming
39
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South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota
40
41
42
43
44
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Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois
45
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Harding University
Searcy, Arkansas
46
47
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Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri
48
48
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SUNY Fredonia
Fredonia, New York
50
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Lee University
Cleveland, Tennessee

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value General Music Schools

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN
52University of Nebraska - LincolnLincoln, NE
53Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS
54Bowling Green State University - Main CampusBowling Green, OH
55University of FloridaGainesville, FL
56University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC
57Stephen F Austin State UniversityNacogdoches, TX
58The Graduate Center, CUNYNew York, NY
59California State University - NorthridgeNorthridge, CA
60Weber State UniversityOgden, UT
61The University of Tennessee - MartinMartin, TN
62Texas Woman’s UniversityDenton, TX

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Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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