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2027 Best General Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region

23 Colleges in the United States
674 General Music Degrees Awarded
$34,820 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Music programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general music programs.

College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best general music schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for General Music in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general music education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in General Music

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general music. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 22 general music degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. General Music graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $28,057 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,166 to complete this degree. See the full general music program report for Northwestern University

2

Students looking for a strong general music program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 general music students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $35,863. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general music from Illinois State University

3

Students looking for a strong general music program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #3. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 14 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $31,552 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general music from University Of Wisconsin Madison

4
Lawrence University crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI

A rank of #4 makes Lawrence University one of the top schools for general music. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Appleton. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 general music students who graduated with this degree at Lawrence University in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Get the full general music details for Lawrence University

5

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best general music schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 56 general music degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $35,209. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general music from Ohio State University Main Campus

6

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #6 spot for general music this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 general music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn around $43,764 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,637 to complete this degree. Read more about the general music program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #7 spot for general music this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 90 general music degrees in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $25,536 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. See the full general music program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

8

Eastern Illinois University came in at #8 for general music this year. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. About 36 general music degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general music program make about $37,163 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,300 to complete this degree. See the full general music program report for Eastern Illinois University

9

Miami University Oxford earned the #9 position for general music this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 15 general music students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $19,353 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in general music from Miami University Oxford

10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #10 spot for general music this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 21 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $34,079. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general music from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

11

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #11 for general music this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 19 general music degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $46,566. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete this degree. See the full general music program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

12

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #12 position for general music this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater awarded about 23 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn around $31,134 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full general music details for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

13

Ball State University earned the #13 position for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. About 62% of students finish within six years. Ball State University awarded about 17 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general music from Ball State University

14

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best general music schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. About 20 general music degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general music program make about $49,254 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete this degree. See the full general music program report for Northeastern Illinois University

15
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN

Depauw University landed the #15 spot for general music this year. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. Depauw University awarded about 11 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Depauw University generally make around $46,127. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the general music program at Depauw University

16

Grand Valley State University earned the #16 position for general music this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 general music students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from Grand Valley State University earn around $34,882 in the first couple years of their career. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $29,198 in student loans. Get the full general music details for Grand Valley State University

17

Wayne State University earned the #17 position for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Detroit. Wayne State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Wayne State University awarded about 56 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $32,911. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general music from Wayne State University

18

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #18 for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 general music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $27,478 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the general music program at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

19

Columbia College Chicago placed #19 among the best general music schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 42 general music degrees in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $19,943 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in general music from Columbia College Chicago

20

Western Illinois University came in at #20 for general music this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. About 15 general music degrees were awarded at Western Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general music program make about $32,666 in their early career. Western Illinois University graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. See the full general music program report for Western Illinois University

21

Kent State University At Kent placed #21 among the best general music schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 10 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $24,340. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree. See the full general music program report for Kent State University At Kent

22

Cleveland State University came in at #22 for general music this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 21 general music degrees were awarded at Cleveland State University in the most recent year. General Music graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $32,887 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete this degree. See the full general music program report for Cleveland State University

23

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #23 among the best general music schools. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates 36% of students within six years. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne awarded about 27 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete this degree. Get the full general music details for Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne

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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 · 23 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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