2026 Best Value General Music Schools in California
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 153 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general music schools.
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2026 Best Value General Music Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Music Schools
Our analysis ranked College Of The Canyons the best value for a degree in general music in California. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. General Music graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. General Music graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $7,234. General Music graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for general music. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $9,384. Early-career general music graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #6 for value in general music this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College earned the #8 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
California State University Los Angeles placed #9 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $21,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Citrus College earned the #10 position for value in general music this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Riverside City College earned the #11 position for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. General Music graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Las Positas College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
California State University Fullerton landed the #13 spot for general music value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $20,469 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $23,969 early in their careers. Set against $20,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
El Camino Community College District landed the #14 spot for general music value this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Palomar College placed #15 among the best values for general music. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
California State University Fresno landed the #16 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Bakersfield College earned the #17 position for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. General Music graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $86,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge placed #18 among the best values for general music. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $15,933 in student loans. General Music graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $28,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #19 spot for general music value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $20,550 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $21,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Los Angeles City College came in at #20 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $10,763 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. That is a strong return on a $10,763 median debt.
Fullerton College placed #21 among the best values for general music. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
California State University Sacramento placed #22 among the best values for general music. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $25,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Stanford University landed the #23 spot for general music value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $10,492. Early-career general music graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
California State University East Bay ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Modesto Junior College landed the #25 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Music Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general music this year:
More General Music Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 153 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
