2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
73
Ranked Colleges
4,060
Degrees Awarded
$9,200
Avg Net Price*
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 Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 Great Lakes region, there were 4,060 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,923 and $25,259 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 73 colleges that offer a degree 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Music (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 156 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $917 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwestern University.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Northwestern Music Report
Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. U-M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 199 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
U-M also made our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $5,670 for great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%.
Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Music Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 374 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $7,061 for great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Full Indiana University - Bloomington Music Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 69 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Madison is $4,788 for great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Music Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 129 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
UIUC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,036 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music at UIUC
Oberlin College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oberlin is a small school located in Oberlin, Ohio that handed out 107 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
Oberlin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Oberlin is $13,745 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Oberlin Music Report
University of Notre Dame landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 21 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Notre Dame is $9,136 for great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, 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 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at University of Notre Dame
Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 67 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $8,581 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, 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 94%.
Read full report on Music at Ohio State University - Main Campus
Michigan State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 208 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $15,170 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, 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 91%.
Read full report on Music at Michigan State University
With a ranking of #10, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oakland University is a public institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,839 for great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oakland 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 more about Music at Oakland
With a ranking of #11, Indiana University - South Bend did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in South Bend, Indiana, this small public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,544 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - South Bend.
Full Indiana University - South Bend Music Report
Sinclair Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Sinclair Community College is located in Dayton, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Sinclair Community College is $4,227 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Sinclair Community College Music Report
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,216 for great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music at IUPUI
Ball State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ball State University is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 43 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $10,786 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Ball State
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW - Eau Claire is a fairly large public school situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It awarded 48 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Eau Claire, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,658 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - Eau Claire.
Full UW - Eau Claire Music Report
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a small school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 41 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wheaton College Illinois has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $18,519 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Music at Wheaton College Illinois
With a ranking of #17, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is a public institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UW - La Crosse is $10,075 for great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Music at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Purdue University Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s music degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $8,427 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend PFW.
Read full report on Music at Purdue University Fort Wayne
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW - Stevens Point is a medium-sized public school situated in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It awarded 12 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $9,052 for great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Music at UW - Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW - Whitewater is a fairly large school located in Whitewater, Wisconsin that handed out 26 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $10,390 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Music at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $11,026 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Grand Valley State University Music Report
University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,478 for great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - River Falls.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Music at UW - River Falls
Eastern Illinois University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. EIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 37 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $10,056 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Music at Eastern Illinois University
With a ranking of #24, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 13 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $11,351 for Great Lakes Region Music students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 University of Illinois at Chicago
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $8,825 for great lakes region music students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Music at SIUE
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