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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music (Income $48-$75k) in California

25 Ranked Colleges
526 Degrees Awarded
$27,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 California For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 California, there were 3,681 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $20,710 and $32,646 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 526 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered a degree in music. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality music programs that also have a lower cost than 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Music Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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 California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music (Income $48-$75k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 14 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Full Stanford Music Report

#19 in overall quality

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

Cal State LA also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cal State LA Music Report

#3

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 #3 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 26 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCLA Music Report

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 5 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree music students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at UC Irvine

#16 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892.

Full California State University - Fullerton Music Report

#6 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree music students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at UC Berkeley

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 56 students in 2019-2020.

CSUN also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at CSUN

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k 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.

Fresno State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at California State University - Fresno

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 32 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at CSULB

#10

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#9 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 8 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #9 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at UCSB

#11

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 13 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658.

Read more about Music at SDSU

#12

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 California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. UCR 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 California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at University of California - Riverside

#12 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also took the #12 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at UCSD

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 6 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at Sac State

#15

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#13 in overall quality

San Jose State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Jose State University is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 9 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790.

Read more about Music at San Jose State University

California State University - East Bay landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Music at California State University - East Bay

#17

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 California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 81 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at USC

#18

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#20 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

SFSU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944.

Read full report on Music at SFSU

#19

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 4 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#20

University of Redlands

Redlands, California
#8 in overall quality

University of Redlands did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. University of Redlands is a small school located in Redlands, California that handed out 15 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Redlands, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Redlands are $22,852.

Read more about Music at University of Redlands

#21

Mills College

Oakland, California

Mills College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Mills is located in Oakland, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mills, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mills College are $36,263, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at Mills

#22

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#10 in overall quality

Azusa Pacific University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Azusa Pacific is located in Azusa, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

Azusa Pacific also made our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Azusa Pacific University are $16,571, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Azusa Pacific Music Report

#23

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

San Francisco, California

San Francisco Conservatory of Music came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 81 diplomas to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

SFCM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco Conservatory of Music are $49,050, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Francisco Conservatory of Music Music Report

#24

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, California

California Institute of the Arts landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. CalArts is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Valencia, California. It awarded 35 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

CalArts also took the #7 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CalArts are $53,466.

Read more about Music at CalArts

#25

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 16 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Academy of Art University also took the #22 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at Academy of Art University

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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