2027 Best Value Music Therapy Schools
[Music Therapy](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/music-therapy/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music therapy students.
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Finding the Best Value Music Therapy School for You
Where you study music therapy affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Music Therapy Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Music Therapy Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Music Therapy Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music therapy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Music Therapy Schools
Florida State University tops our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools in the United States. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $43,422. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music therapy, landing the #2 spot this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $22,937. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $55,713. That is a strong return on a $22,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in music therapy will find it at Texas Womans University, which ranked #3. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $60,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #4 place for music therapy. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the music therapy program here. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $55,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $20,015. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $72,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Radford University earned the #6 position for value in music therapy this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,514 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $47,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #7 spot for music therapy value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $44,359 early in their careers. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University earned the #8 position for value in music therapy this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $60,669 early in their careers. Set against $26,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $71,185. That is a strong return on a $26,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Montclair State University placed #10 among the best values for music therapy. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $25,286. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $44,369. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University earned the #12 position for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the music therapy program here. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
William Carey University landed the #13 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $25,079 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of William Carey University earn a median of $46,292 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the music therapy program here. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $66,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Kansas landed the #15 spot for music therapy value this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $23,608. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $68,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #16 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $27,425. Music Therapy graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $43,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Appalachian State University landed the #17 spot for music therapy value this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $42,340. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Towson University placed #18 among the best values for music therapy. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Sam Houston State University placed #19 among the best values for music therapy. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Evansville ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $25,234. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from University Of Evansville generally make around $74,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville landed the #21 spot for music therapy value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $58,534. Set against $21,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky placed #22 among the best values for music therapy. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $67,402. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot for music therapy value this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $51,364. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #24 for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $51,693 early in their careers. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Georgia College And State University earned the #25 position for value in music therapy this year. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $24,412. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Georgia College And State University generally make around $51,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Music Therapy Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music therapy:
Narrow Music Therapy Schools by Region
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Music Therapy is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
