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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

37 Ranked Colleges
651 Degrees Awarded
$26,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Schools for a Master's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 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 $30-$48k” 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the music program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to 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 for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region master’s degree music students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

Stanford also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at Stanford

#24 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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 16 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at California State University - Los Angeles

#6 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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 5 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Irvine Music Report

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

UCLA also took the #3 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 UCLA are $28,131.

Full UCLA Music Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

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 UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#20 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. 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.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #20 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at Cal State Fullerton

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 56 diplomas to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 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 CSUN are $17,955.

Read full report on Music at CSUN

#9 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 4 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took 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 UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Read more about Music at UC Berkeley

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Fresno is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581.

Read full report on Music at Fresno State

#13 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Las Vegas came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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.

UNLV also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962.

Read more about Music at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

California State University - Long Beach landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 32 diplomas to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

CSULB also took the #18 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at CSULB

#12

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#15 in overall quality

San Diego 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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at San Diego State University

#13

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 8 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at UCSB

#14

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

With a ranking of #14, Washington State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wazzu is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington State University are $27,561, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at Washington State University

#15

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

With a ranking of #15, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 full report on Music at UCR

#16

Southern Oregon University

Ashland, Oregon

With a ranking of #16, Southern Oregon University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Ashland, Oregon, this medium-sized public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s music students 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

#17

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington

With a ranking of #17, 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 $30-$48k list. Eastern Washington University is a fairly large school located in Cheney, Washington that handed out 4 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 Eastern Washington University are $28,921.

Read full report on Music at EWU

#18

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, Washington

With a ranking of #18, 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 $30-$48k list. CWU 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 also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Washington University are $24,976, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CWU Music Report

California State University - Sacramento came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. 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 Sac State are $18,356.

Read full report on Music at Sac State

#20

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. WWU is a public institution located in Bellingham, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WWU, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WWU are $24,105, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at WWU

#16 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. University of California - San Diego is located in La Jolla, 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 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at UCSD

#22

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 9 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Music at San Jose State University

#23

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#21 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. University of Hawaii at Manoa is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Manoa, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at University of Hawaii at Manoa

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 2 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at Cal State East Bay

#25

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s music degrees to 81 students in 2019-2020.

USC also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715.

Read more about Music at University of Southern California

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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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