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2022 Best Value Colleges for Music (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region

55 Ranked Colleges
2,964 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 Southwest region, there were 2,964 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,126 and $28,647 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 55 colleges that offered 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the music program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Music (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Rice University landed the #1 spot on the list. Rice University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 87 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rice, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $7,318 for southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Rice.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Music at Rice

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a large public school situated in Edinburg, Texas. It awarded 44 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Rio Grande Valley, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is $6,405 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Music Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M International University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized school located in Laredo, Texas that handed out 9 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M International University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M International University is $3,809 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Music at Texas A&M International University

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at San Antonio landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this large public school awarded 46 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k list, UTSA has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UTSA is $13,827 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full UTSA Music Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Austin. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 136 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

UT Austin also took the #1 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $15,757 for southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UT Austin.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full The University of Texas at Austin Music Report

#6

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school handed out 102 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Houston is $12,505 for southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Music at UH

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in El Paso, Texas, this large public school handed out 29 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UTEP, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at El Paso is $10,786 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full UTEP Music Report

#8

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Texas State University is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 101 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas State University is $14,250 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Music at Texas State University

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Nacogdoches, Texas, and it awarded 106 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFASU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,644 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Stephen F Austin State University.

Read more about Music at Stephen F Austin State University

#10

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas

With a ranking of #10, Texas Woman’s University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Texas Woman’s University is a fairly large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 46 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for TWU is $9,629 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Music at Texas Woman’s University

#11

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, Texas

West Texas A&M University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. West Texas A&M University is a public institution located in Canyon, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

West Texas A&M University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend West Texas A&M University is $11,101 for southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Music at West Texas A&M University

Collin County Community College District ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Collin County Community College District is located in McKinney, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Collin County Community College District is $7,898 for southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Music at Collin County Community College District

#13

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

University of North Texas came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UNT is a large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 344 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNT is $15,377 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Music at UNT

#14

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school handed out 115 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $17,421 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Texas Tech.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Texas Tech Music Report

Texas A&M University - Kingsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. This medium-sized school is located in Kingsville, Texas, and it awarded 29 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Kingsville also took the #13 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M Kingsville is $14,464 for southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Music at Texas A&M University - Kingsville

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Chickasha, Oklahoma, and it awarded 4 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $8,693 for southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend USAO.

Read full report on Music at USAO

The University of Texas at Tyler came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UT Tyler is a public institution located in Tyler, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,037 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UT Tyler.

Read more about Music at The University of Texas at Tyler

#18

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

With a ranking of #18, Sam Houston State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Sam Houston State University is a public institution located in Huntsville, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SHSU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sam Houston State University is $14,832 for southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Music at Sam Houston State University

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, this large public school handed out 29 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.

OSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $14,698 for southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Oklahoma State University - Main Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Music at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

Austin Community College District did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $8,877 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Austin Community College District.

Full Austin Community College District Music Report

Texas A&M University - Commerce came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Texas A&M University - Commerce is located in Commerce, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 57 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

Texas A&M Commerce also made our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M Commerce is $14,033 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Music at Texas A&M Commerce

With a ranking of #22, The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. The University of Texas at Arlington is a large public school situated in Arlington, Texas. It awarded 66 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $14,622 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UT Arlington.

Full UT Arlington Music Report

#23

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school awarded 85 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $15,399 for southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full University of Arizona Music Report

Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Portales, New Mexico, and it awarded 16 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,117 for Southwest Region Music students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus.

Full ENMU - Main Campus Music Report

San Jacinto Community College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. San Jacinto College is a large school located in Pasadena, Texas that handed out 11 ’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for San Jacinto Community College is $9,788 for southwest region music students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Music at San Jacinto College

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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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