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2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

267 Ranked Colleges
6,038 Degrees Awarded
$23,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Music Schools for a Master's For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 For Those Getting Aid” 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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 6,038 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 267 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Music Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Music (With Aid)

Out of the 267 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Edinburg, Texas, and it awarded 5 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Music Report

Out of the 267 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 16 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 Cal State LA are $17,723.

Read more about Music at Cal State LA

#3

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 #3 for the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s music degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree music students with aid list, Stanford has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011.

Read more about Music at Stanford

#4

Hunter College

New York, New York

Out of the 267 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Hunter College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in New York, New York, this large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s music students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Hunter are $20,828.

Read more about Music at Hunter

#5

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Out of the 267 schools in the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #5 spot on the list. UNC Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 1 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#6

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. University of Florida is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UF excels when it comes to music quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at University of Florida

#7

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

With a ranking of #7, Yale University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Yale is located in New Haven, Connecticut and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 124 masters’s music degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree music students with aid list, Yale has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at Yale

#8

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Brooklyn College is a public institution located in Brooklyn, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 26 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Brooklyn College are $20,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Brooklyn College Music Report

#9

The City College of New York

New York, New York

The City College of New York came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. The City College of New York is a fairly large public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 9 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CCNY are $20,832, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at The City College of New York

#10

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri

With a ranking of #10, Truman State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 9 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Truman State University are $16,551, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at Truman State University

Top 20% in overall quality

University of California - Irvine landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 5 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also claimed a top spot on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at University of California - Irvine

California State University - Northridge ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 56 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

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

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 19 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, UW Seattle is in the top on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW Seattle Music Report

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 21 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 Cal State Fullerton are $17,892.

Read more about Music at Cal State Fullerton

Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music is a small public school situated in San Juan, . It awarded 4 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music are $3,260, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music

Brigham Young University - Provo came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 15 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

BYU also claimed a top spot on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brigham Young University - Provo are $7,510, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Music at BYU

#17

Queens College

Queens, New York

With a ranking of #17, Queens College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Queens, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Queens College are $21,042.

Full QC Music Report

#18

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

With a ranking of #18, Florida Atlantic University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Boca Raton, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FAU are $18,482.

Read more about Music at FAU

The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. The University of Texas at El Paso is a large public school situated in El Paso, Texas. It awarded 8 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at El Paso are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Music at UTEP

With a ranking of #20, University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a large school located in Las Vegas, Nevada that handed out 10 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 University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962.

Full University of Nevada - Las Vegas Music Report

#21

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

University of North Carolina School of the Arts landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. UNCSA is a small public school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 21 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 UNCSA are $26,064.

Read full report on Music at University of North Carolina School of the Arts

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 47 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Music Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Full UIUC Music Report

California State University - Fresno came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 7 masters’s music degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Music at California State University - Fresno

With a ranking of #24, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s music degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Music at UTSA

#25

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Central Florida is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 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 University of Central Florida are $28,657.

Full University of Central Florida Music Report

Rest of the Best 41 in Best Value Music Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

Not only did these schools make the top 41 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#28

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
#29

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
#30

Montclair State University

Montclair, New Jersey
#31

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#32

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#33

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
#35

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#36

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#38

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#39

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
#41

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

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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