Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s School of Music is proving a quality education can be affordable.
Great Value Colleges, a resource website for students that ranks programs and degree offerings, recently named Texas A&M-Kingsville in the top quarter of the “100 Great Value Colleges for Music Majors.”
The article explains many music majors are faced with high tuition and low acceptance rates of major music conservatories without realizing there is a plethora of affordable colleges with good music programs.
Texas A&M-Kingsville is ranked 25th on the list with a score of 11 points which is determined by tuition, student to faculty ratio, graduate degree opportunities, accreditation and other factors.
“The high standards set forth by Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s School of Music has yielded award-winning ensembles and solidified the university’s place among the best colleges for music in America,” the ranking website states.
Dr. Paul Hageman, Regents Professor and Director of the School of Music, said the School of Music provides a first-rate, quality music education with dedicated, talented music faculty, world-class facilities and nationally and internationally-recognized music ensembles at a very affordable price.
“Rankings such as this underscores the important, life-changing education that we provide here at Texas A&M University-Kingsville,” he said. “Many of our students are first-generation college students and/or have modest means, and the affordability of a quality program such as ours allows our students and graduates to achieve musical and educational goals they may have only dreamed about. The good work we all do of educating our students at this university is so important, and it is nice to be recognized for that dedication.”
The ranking shows students can earn a bachelor’s degree in Music or Music Education while graduate students can obtain a Master of Music in Conducting, Music Education or Music Performance.
“Just in the last year alone, our students and ensembles have been recognized for their excellence at the state, regional, national, and international levels more than 12 times,” Hageman said. “The TAMUK School of Music alumni have very successful careers as professional musicians, music educators, and administrators. This network of musicians/educators provides an extended family of Javelina musicians for all of our current students and new graduates. We are also so fortunate to have a fantastic administration that supports all facets of our university, including our fine arts and music programs – This support is clearly demonstrated in their willingness to champion and provide our fantastic new music facilities.”
Texas A&M-Kingsville is institutionally accredited to award academic degrees in music by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The music department itself is also programmatically accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
“This ranking shines a spotlight on the excellence that our music program has achieved and the affordability that makes our university accessible to nearly everyone,” Hageman said. “We work to attract talented music students here because we know we can provide them with the education, musical training, and mentoring they need to build a life-long career and love for music. News like this can only help to increase the visibility of our program and what we have to offer any student willing to work diligently and pursue their dreams.”
