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2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

73 Ranked Colleges
4,060 Degrees Awarded
$15,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 25,910 people earned their degree in music, making the major the 43rd most popular in the United States. 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.

This year’s “Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 73 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Music in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

1

Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 374 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,619 for Great Lakes Region Music students with aid per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Music at IU Bloomington

2
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Michigan State is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 208 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also made our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $19,058 for Great Lakes Region Music students with aid per year to attend Michigan State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.

Read full report on Music at Michigan State

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region music students with aid list, U-M has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $14,878 for great lakes region music students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full U-M Music Report

4

Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #4 spot on the list. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 129 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region music students with aid list, UIUC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $14,321 for Great Lakes Region Music students with aid.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 full report on Music at UIUC

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 69 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $17,234 for great lakes region music students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, 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 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at UW - Madison

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UW - Whitewater is a fairly large public school situated in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It awarded 26 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $14,417 for great lakes region music students with aid.

Full University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Music Report

7
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Northwestern University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 156 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $23,279 for Great Lakes Region Music students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Northwestern Music Report

8

Sinclair Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Sinclair Community College is a fairly large school located in Dayton, Ohio that handed out 6 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,959 for great lakes region music students with aid per year to attend Sinclair Community College.

Full Sinclair Community College Music Report

9

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $16,051 for great lakes region music students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

Read more about Music at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

10
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ball State is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 43 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,765 for Great Lakes Region Music students with aid per year to attend Ball State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at Ball State University

11

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,346 for great lakes region music students with aid per year to attend UW - Stevens Point.

Read full report on Music at UW - Stevens Point

12
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #12, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Oakland University is a fairly large school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan that handed out 19 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland is $13,449 for Great Lakes Region Music students with aid.

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%.

Full Oakland Music Report

13

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $12,416 for Great Lakes Region Music students with aid per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.

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 full report on Music at IUPUI

14

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $13,214 for Great Lakes Region Music students with aid.

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%.

Full UIC Music Report

15

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 7 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,654 for great lakes region music students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UW - La Crosse Music Report

16

With a ranking of #16, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UC is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 253 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC is $22,415 for great lakes region music students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Music at UC

17

Indiana University - South Bend did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Indiana University - South Bend is a public institution located in South Bend, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - South Bend is $9,646 for great lakes region music students with aid.

Read full report on Music at Indiana University - South Bend

18
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 73 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.

WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for WMU is $20,371 for great lakes region music students with aid.

Full Western Michigan University Music Report

19
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indiana State University is a medium-sized school located in Terre Haute, Indiana that handed out 35 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana State is $14,270 for great lakes region music students with aid.

Full Indiana State Music Report

20

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 67 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $16,845 for great lakes region music students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

21
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Charleston, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s music degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,098 for great lakes region music students with aid per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Read full report on Music at Eastern Illinois University

22

Youngstown State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $12,225 for great lakes region music students with aid.

Full Youngstown State University Music Report

23

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and it awarded 116 ’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

BGSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $18,558 for Great Lakes Region Music students with aid per year to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus.

Full BGSU Music Report

24

University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is located in River Falls, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $13,844 for Great Lakes Region Music students with aid.

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 more about Music at UW - River Falls

25

Grand Valley State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Grand Valley State University is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for GVSU is $17,356 for great lakes region music students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at GVSU

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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