2027 Best Value General Music Master’s Degree Schools
[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general music education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 131 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general music students.
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2027 Best Value General Music Schools in the United States
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
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2027 list of the best value general music schools in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $16,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Northridge came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,933 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $37,985 early in their careers. Set against $15,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for general music. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $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%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $19,145. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general music will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #5. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,882 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $29,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento placed #6 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #7 for value in general music this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $20,469. General Music graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $23,969 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #8 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. General Music graduates carry a median of $14,612 in student loans. General Music graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $56,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,612 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Florida State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $23,992 in student loans. General Music graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $26,016 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #10 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $21,829. Early-career general music graduates make about $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Lamar University came in at #11 for value in general music this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,407 in student loans. General Music graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $42,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #12 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. General Music graduates carry a median of $20,550 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $25,480. That is a strong return on a $20,550 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Stanford University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. General Music graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. General Music graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #14 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $29,507. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
San Jose State University earned the #15 position for value in general music this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #16 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $24,570. Early-career general music graduates make about $47,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #17 for value in general music this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $23,119. General Music graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $15,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #18 for value in general music this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $16,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for general music. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $38,029. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for general music graduates is $31,000. Early-career general music graduates make about $47,151. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University placed #21 among the best values for general music. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. General Music graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $30,454. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Memphis placed #22 among the best values for general music. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $22,060 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $47,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University placed #23 among the best values for general music. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General Music graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $39,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general music schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $37,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Houston landed the #25 spot for general music value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $52,799. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general music:
Other General Music Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Music rankings across degree levels:
View All General Music Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 131 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 131 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.
