2027 Best Value Music Therapy Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Music Therapy](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/music-therapy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value music therapy schools.
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2027 Best Value Music Therapy Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music therapy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Therapy Schools
For return on investment in music therapy, no school beat Florida Gulf Coast University this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $72,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $44,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Utah State University one of the best values for music therapy. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music therapy, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $60,669. That is a strong return on a $26,668 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montclair State University earned it the #5 place for music therapy. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $25,286. Music Therapy graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $44,369 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Cleveland State University earned the #6 position for value in music therapy this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $66,152. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Kansas earned the #7 position for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $23,608. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $68,233. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $27,425. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $33,926. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University placed #9 among the best values for music therapy. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $42,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University came in at #10 for value in music therapy this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $46,365. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Louisville landed the #11 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the music therapy program here. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $58,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $41,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Indianapolis placed #13 among the best values for music therapy. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,200. Students borrow a median of $26,699 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $70,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #14 among the best values for music therapy. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $68,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
Marywood University placed #15 among the best values for music therapy. Set in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,420 in tuition and fees. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,996 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $36,791. Set against $26,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University placed #16 among the best values for music therapy. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music therapy program here. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $40,085. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Dayton placed #17 among the best values for music therapy. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $25,033. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $71,505. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.
Shenandoah University came in at #18 for value in music therapy this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,950. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,005 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $73,888. That is a strong return on a $26,005 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Wartburg College came in at #19 for value in music therapy this year. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,250. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $26,793. Music Therapy graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $46,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,793 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Belmont University landed the #20 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $73,552. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Wisconsin landed the #21 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $72,716. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami earned the #22 position for value in music therapy this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $73,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Duquesne University landed the #23 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music therapy program here. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $71,021. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Berklee College Of Music ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. Located in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,040. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Berklee College Of Music generally make around $36,349. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Other Music Therapy Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Music Therapy rankings across degree levels:
View All Music Therapy Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
