2027 Best General Music Associate’s Degree Schools
General Music degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general music programs.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best general music schools.
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Best Schools for General Music in the United States
Below are the best general music schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in General Music
Our analysis ranked Austin Community College District the best school in the country for a degree in general music. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. About 22 general music degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. General Music graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general music from Austin Community College District
Moorpark College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best general music schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Moorpark. There were roughly 12 general music students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Moorpark College graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans.
Read more about the general music program at Moorpark College
A rank of #3 makes Utah Valley University one of the top schools for general music. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 general music students who graduated with this degree at Utah Valley University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $24,952. Typical student debt for the program is $16,478.
Read more about the general music program at Utah Valley University
Lone Star College System came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best general music schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Lone Star College System awarded about 49 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from Lone Star College System earn around $39,954 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete this degree.
See the full general music program report for Lone Star College System
Students looking for a strong general music program will find one at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Selden. About 12 general music degrees were awarded at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general music program make about $35,667 in their early career. Suffolk County Community College graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans.
See the full general music program report for Suffolk County Community College
Santa Monica College landed the #6 spot for general music this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Santa Monica College awarded about 14 general music degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full general music program report for Santa Monica College
West Valley College came in at #7 for general music this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Saratoga. About 18 general music degrees were awarded at West Valley College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general music program make about $25,378 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,308.
Read more about the general music program at West Valley College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #8 among the best general music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 27 general music students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete this degree.
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San Jacinto Community College came in at #9 for general music this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. San Jacinto Community College awarded about 17 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. San Jacinto Community College graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general music from San Jacinto Community College
Saddleback College came in at #10 for general music this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Saddleback College awarded about 12 general music degrees in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete this degree.
See the full general music program report for Saddleback College
Riverside City College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best general music schools. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Riverside City College awarded about 45 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Riverside City College graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans.
Read more about the general music program at Riverside City College
Butte College landed the #12 spot for general music this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Oroville. Butte College awarded about 10 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from Butte College earn around $67,048 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,302.
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Fullerton College landed the #13 spot for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. Fullerton College awarded about 21 general music degrees in the most recent data year.
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Cabrillo College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best general music schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Aptos. About 18 general music degrees were awarded at Cabrillo College in the most recent year. General Music graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. Cabrillo College graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans.
See the full general music program report for Cabrillo College
Pasadena City College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best general music schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. There were roughly 19 general music students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $38,841 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general music from Pasadena City College
Los Angeles Valley College came in at #16 for general music this year. Set in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public institution. About 14 general music degrees were awarded at Los Angeles Valley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from Los Angeles Valley College earn around $81,600 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,254.
More information about a degree in general music from Los Angeles Valley College
Long Beach City College came in at #17 for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. There were roughly 17 general music students who graduated with this degree at Long Beach City College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general music program report for Long Beach City College
Citrus College earned the #18 position for general music this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Citrus College awarded about 21 general music degrees in the most recent data year.
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Tyler Junior College earned the #19 position for general music this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. About 31 general music degrees were awarded at Tyler Junior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Typical student debt for the program is $14,869.
Read more about the general music program at Tyler Junior College
Fresno City College came in at #20 for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. There were roughly 22 general music students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans.
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Ventura College landed the #21 spot for general music this year. This large public university is located in the city of Ventura. About 14 general music degrees were awarded at Ventura College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree.
See the full general music program report for Ventura College
Tarrant County College District earned the #22 position for general music this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Tarrant County College District awarded about 10 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $45,158 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,148.
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Snow College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best general music schools. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Snow College awarded about 28 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $42,776 in their early career. Snow College graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general music from Snow College
College Of The Sequoias ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best general music schools. This large public university is located in the city of Visalia. College Of The Sequoias awarded about 19 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $37,749 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general music program at College Of The Sequoias
Allan Hancock College earned the #25 position for general music this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Allan Hancock College awarded about 10 general music degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the general music program at Allan Hancock College
Rest of the Top 30 General Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general music education:
Other General Music Degree Levels
Explore the best general music schools at other degree levels:
View All General Music Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 30 schools evaluated.
- 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.
