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Music Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Music students can access quality programs for under $1,200 annually at Texas A&M University-Central Texas, where 95.71% of applicants gain admission to pursue their musical studies. The affordability gap between public and private institutions becomes stark when comparing this $1,113 net cost to Berea College's $4,483, despite both offering comparable graduation outcomes. CUNY schools dominate the national market of budget-friendly music education, with five campuses offering programs under $4,000 annually in New York City's thriving music industry ecosystem. The entertainment sector employs over 2.3 million Americans, with New York and Los Angeles serving as primary hubs for recording studios, performance venues, and music production companies. Graduates from these affordable programs enter markets where earnings span from $17,950 to $48,432, reflecting the wide range of career paths available from performance and education to sound engineering and music therapy.
50
Programs
$1,113 – $8,364
Net Price Range
$28,282
Avg. Program Earnings
44.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Music Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
2 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
3 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
4 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
5 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
6 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
7 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
8 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
9 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
10 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
11 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
12 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
13 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
14 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
15 $5,216 $6,400 32.6%
16 $5,244 $3,370 57.1% 84.5%
17 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
18 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
19 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
20 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
21 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
22 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
23 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
24 $6,071 $4,564 46.7%
25 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
26 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
27 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
28 $6,352 $7,200 33.3% 74.2%
29 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
30 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
31 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
32 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
33 $6,608 $10,646 46.4% 80.0%
34 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
35 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
36 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
37 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
38 $7,349 $14,776 16.0% 45.1%
39 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
40 $7,382 $5,542 38.4% 67.8%
41 $7,557 $7,922 26.1%
42 $7,563 $5,612 28.6% 96.9%
43 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
44 $7,607 $5,542 38.7% 45.7%
45 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
46 $7,871 $26,300 23.5%
47 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
48 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
49 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
50 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Texas A&M University-Central Texas the most affordable music program nationally?

Texas A&M-Central Texas offers the lowest net cost at just $1,113 annually with an exceptionally high acceptance rate of 95.71%. The university serves the Killeen area, home to Fort Hood, creating unique opportunities for military band positions and community music programs. Students benefit from Texas's lack of state income tax, allowing them to retain more of their post-graduation earnings.

How do CUNY music programs compare in terms of career outcomes?

CUNY Hunter College graduates earn $32,391 annually with a 61% graduation rate, while Baruch College music graduates achieve the highest earnings at $35,060 with a 72.1% graduation rate. Brooklyn College and Queens College both maintain graduation rates above 56%, demonstrating consistent academic support across the system. These schools provide direct access to New York's $14 billion entertainment industry.

Is Berea College worth the higher cost compared to public options?

Berea College charges $4,483 net cost but maintains a 62% graduation rate with highly selective 24.58% acceptance rate. The private college provides a work-study program that covers tuition costs, making it accessible despite the higher sticker price. Students gain access to Appalachian musical traditions and smaller class sizes that public universities typically cannot offer.

Does location significantly impact music program affordability?

California and New York schools cluster in the $2,400 to $4,100 range despite higher living costs in major metropolitan areas. Texas programs offer the lowest net costs, with two universities under $3,100 annually. Geographic proximity to music industry centers like Los Angeles and New York provides internship and networking opportunities that can offset higher program costs through career advancement.

What graduation rates should students expect from these affordable programs?

Graduation rates vary significantly from 20% at Ohio University-Eastern to 72.1% at CUNY Baruch College, with most programs falling between 45-65%. Schools in major metropolitan areas tend to show higher completion rates, likely due to increased performance and internship opportunities. Students should consider that lower-cost programs sometimes reflect regional economic factors rather than program quality.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.