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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

37 Ranked Colleges
651 Degrees Awarded
$24,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Schools for a Master's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Music is the 40th most popular major in the country with 27,047 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, music graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $25,639 and had an average of $28,653 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 4,534 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $21,228 and $32,045 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 651 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 37 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in music. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great music programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the music program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Music Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at Stanford

#24 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 16 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at California State University - Los Angeles

#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 5 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at University of California - Irvine

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 19 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#5

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 26 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at University of California - Los Angeles

#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892.

Read full report on Music at California State University - Fullerton

#9 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347.

Read full report on Music at University of California - Berkeley

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 56 diplomas to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955.

Read more about Music at California State University - Northridge

#9

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#15 in overall quality

San Diego State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 13 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k list, SDSU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at San Diego State University

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 7 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Fresno State Music Report

California State University - Long Beach came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 32 degrees to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Full California State University - Long Beach Music Report

#13 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is located in Las Vegas, Nevada and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNLV has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNLV are $21,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

#13

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCSB has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670.

Read full report on Music at University of California - Santa Barbara

#14

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington

With a ranking of #14, Central Washington University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Central Washington University is a public institution located in Ellensburg, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Washington University are $24,976, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at Central Washington University

#15

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. University of California - Riverside is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 1 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR also took the #0 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686.

Read more about Music at UCR

#16

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Washington State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Pullman, Washington, and it awarded 10 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wazzu are $27,561.

Full Washington State University Music Report

#17

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 2 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

WWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WWU are $24,105, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full WWU Music Report

#18

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington

With a ranking of #18, Eastern Washington University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. EWU is a fairly large school located in Cheney, Washington that handed out 4 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at EWU are $28,921, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at Eastern Washington University

#19

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#21 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Hawaii at Manoa is a public institution located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UH Manoa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Hawaii at Manoa are $34,550.

Read full report on Music at UH Manoa

California State University - Sacramento landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356.

Read more about Music at Sac State

#21

Southern Oregon University

Ashland, Oregon

Southern Oregon University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Oregon University is a public institution located in Ashland, Oregon. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Oregon University are $23,445, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at Southern Oregon University

#16 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 4 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCSD Music Report

#23

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#17 in overall quality

San Jose State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 9 degrees to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at San Jose State

California State University - East Bay landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 2 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay also took the #0 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State East Bay are $17,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at California State University - East Bay

#25

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#25 in overall quality

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 13 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k list, SFSU has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at San Francisco State University

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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