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2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

14 Ranked Colleges
284 Degrees Awarded
$22,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Schools for a Master's in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 27,047 people earned their degree in music, making the major the 40th most popular in the United States. 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 Illinois, there were 1,073 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $23,747 and $27,432 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 284 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,267 and $46,814 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 14 colleges that offer a degree in music. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent music programs, but they also 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. 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 Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois master’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 14 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 53 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Full Northwestern University Music Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at University of Chicago

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 47 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at UIUC

#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. SIUE is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 14 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300.

Read more about Music at SIUE

#5

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Illinois University landed the #5 spot on the list. EIU is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 7 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at Eastern Illinois University

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 29 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read more about Music at NIU

#7

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Illinois State University is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at Illinois State University

#8

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Western Illinois University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Illinois University is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Western Illinois University Music Report

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Northeastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northeastern Illinois University has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032.

Read more about Music at Northeastern Illinois University

#11

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois

North Park University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s music degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k list, North Park has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Park are $14,076, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at North Park University

#12

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 23 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Roosevelt also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Roosevelt are $21,605, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Roosevelt Music Report

#13

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbia is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Columbia has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia College Chicago are $2,350.

Full Columbia College Chicago Music Report

#14

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 40 degrees to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

DePaul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at DePaul

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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