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2023 Best Value Colleges for Music (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

26 Ranked Colleges
1,114 Degrees Awarded
$10,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Music is the 43rd most popular major in the country with 25,910 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, music graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $27,160 and had an average of $24,560 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Rocky Mountains region, there were 1,114 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $24,126 and $21,035 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 26 colleges that offered 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The music school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to 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 in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Music (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k. BYU is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 82 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region music students whose families make $0-$30k list, BYU has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend BYU is $9,445 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read more about Music at BYU

2

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Idaho landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Rexburg, Idaho, and it awarded 35 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU - I did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $2,073 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Brigham Young University - Idaho Music Report

3
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wyoming. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Wyoming is a public institution located in Laramie, Wyoming. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW also took the #7 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wyoming is $6,905 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at UW

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Colorado State is a large public school situated in Fort Collins, Colorado. It awarded 90 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Colorado State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $11,924 for rocky mountains region music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Colorado State University - Fort Collins Music Report

5
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Idaho landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Moscow, Idaho, and it awarded 29 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

U of I did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend U of I is $10,816 for rocky mountains region music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at University of Idaho

6
Northwest Community College crest
Northwest College
Powell, Wyoming

Northwest College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This small school is located in Powell, Wyoming, and it awarded 15 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwest Community College also took the #18 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest College is $5,530 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Music at Northwest Community College

7

University of Colorado Boulder did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. CU - Boulder is a large public school situated in Boulder, Colorado. It awarded 124 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

CU - Boulder not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Colorado Boulder is $13,141 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Colorado Boulder Music Report

8
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it awarded 94 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

U of U also took the #5 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Utah is $10,431 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full U of U Music Report

9

Utah Valley University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. UVU is located in Orem, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

UVU also took the #17 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $7,707 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UVU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at Utah Valley University

10

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 117 students in 2020-2021.

CU Anschutz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $10,404 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

11

Weber State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Weber State University is a large public school situated in Ogden, Utah. It awarded 19 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WSU is $9,748 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at Weber State University

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Northern Colorado did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Greeley, Colorado, this fairly large public school handed out 64 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.

University of Northern Colorado did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Colorado is $13,150 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at University of Northern Colorado

13
Arapahoe Community College crest
Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, Colorado

With a ranking of #13, Arapahoe Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Arapahoe Community College is located in Littleton, Colorado and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region music students whose families make $0-$30k list, Arapahoe Community College has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Arapahoe Community College is $7,233 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Arapahoe Community College Music Report

14

Utah State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Logan, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

USU also made our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $9,148 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Utah State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at Utah State University

15
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

Salt Lake Community College also made our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend Salt Lake Community College is $5,129 for rocky mountains region music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Music at Salt Lake Community College

16

Boise State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Boise State is a large school located in Boise, Idaho that handed out 20 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Boise State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $12,561 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Boise State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Music at Boise State

17
UM crest
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Missoula, Montana, this fairly large public school handed out 28 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.

UM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $12,739 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Montana.

Read full report on Music at UM

18
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado

University of Denver ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. DU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Denver, Colorado. It awarded 69 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region music students whose families make $0-$30k list, DU has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Denver is $20,307 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Music at University of Denver

19
Southern Utah University crest
Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah

With a ranking of #19, Southern Utah University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Utah University is a fairly large public school situated in Cedar City, Utah. It awarded 42 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Southern Utah University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $9,873 for rocky mountains region music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Utah University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at Southern Utah University

20

With a ranking of #20, Colorado State University - Pueblo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Colorado State University - Pueblo is a medium-sized public school situated in Pueblo, Colorado. It awarded 16 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Colorado State University - Pueblo also made our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $11,243 for rocky mountains region music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Colorado State University - Pueblo.

Read more about Music at Colorado State University - Pueblo

21

Metropolitan State University of Denver came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MSU Denver is a fairly large school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 30 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU Denver did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Metropolitan State University of Denver is $11,867 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full MSU Denver Music Report

22
Colorado Mesa crest
Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, Colorado

With a ranking of #22, Colorado Mesa University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Colorado Mesa is a medium-sized school located in Grand Junction, Colorado that handed out 7 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Colorado Mesa also made our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $12,685 for rocky mountains region music students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Colorado Mesa.

Full Colorado Mesa University Music Report

23
MSU Bozeman crest
Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana

Montana State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Bozeman, Montana, and it awarded 10 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU Bozeman did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Bozeman is $15,986 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at MSU Bozeman

24

Community College of Aurora ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. CCA is a medium-sized public school situated in Aurora, Colorado. It awarded 3 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CCA is $6,327 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full CCA Music Report

25
Western crest
Western Colorado University
Gunnison, Colorado

With a ranking of #25, Western Colorado University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Gunnison, Colorado, and it awarded 3 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Western also took the #23 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Colorado University is $13,146 for Rocky Mountains Region Music students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Western Music Report

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