2026 Best Value General Music Schools in Minnesota

[General Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/general-music/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general music schools.
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2026 Best Value General Music Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general music, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Music Schools
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for value among general music schools in Minnesota. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. General Music graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $28,677. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Duluth one of the best values for general music. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,427 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $31,780. That is a strong return on a $24,427 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
St Olaf College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,760 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the general music program here. General Music graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $24,732 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
Concordia College At Moorhead is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #4 spot this year. Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Students from in state pay about $31,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general music program here. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead generally make around $44,611. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general music schools. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. General Music graduates carry a median of $26,197 in student loans. Early-career general music graduates make about $44,396. That is a strong return on a $26,197 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #6 spot for general music value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the general music program here. Early-career general music graduates make about $65,183. That is a strong return on a $23,923 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. 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.