2026 Best Value General Music Schools in Michigan
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general music students.
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2026 Best Value General Music Schools in Michigan
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 Grand Rapids Community College the best value for a degree in general music in Michigan. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $11,780. General Music graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,780 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $29,641. Set against $19,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $32,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at Central Michigan University, which ranked #4. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. General Music graduates carry a median of $27,975 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $24,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #5 spot this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the general music program here. General 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. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #6 among the best values for general music. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $29,198 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $34,882. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Western Michigan University came in at #7 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $27,361. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #8 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $40,570 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
More General Music Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
