2027 Best Value Music Therapy Master’s Degree Schools
[Music Therapy](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/music-therapy/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music therapy education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for music therapy students.
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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
Our analysis ranked Florida State University the best value for a degree in music therapy in the United States. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $20,488. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $43,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #2 place for music therapy. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $55,764 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Florida Gulf Coast University one of the best values for music therapy. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music therapy, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $25,514. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $47,271. That is a strong return on a $25,514 median debt. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Carroll University earned it the #5 place for music therapy. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,904 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $67,342 early in their careers. Set against $26,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $50,348. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Eastern Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for music therapy. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $52,615. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Towson University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky earned the #9 position for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $48,176. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Georgia College And State University earned the #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $24,412. Music Therapy graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $51,197 early in their careers. Set against $24,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia College And State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in music therapy this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $27,000. Music Therapy graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $42,447 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $37,200 in tuition and fees. 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 $67,392 early in their careers. Set against $26,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #13 for value in music therapy this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $61,929 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The University Of Alabama placed #14 among the best values for music therapy. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Seton Hill University landed the #15 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,944. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $26,556. Music Therapy graduates of Seton Hill University earn a median of $42,829 early in their careers. Set against $26,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Molloy College landed the #16 spot for music therapy value this year. Molloy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,790. Students borrow a median of $27,420 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $65,544 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Molloy College admits about 82% of applicants.
Elizabethtown College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,950. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $26,599. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Elizabethtown College generally make around $66,391. Set against $26,599 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elizabethtown College admits about 78% of applicants.
Temple University came in at #18 for value in music therapy this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Temple University earn a median of $64,509 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Nazareth College earned the #19 position for value in music therapy this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,210. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $50,629. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Shenandoah University placed #20 among the best values for music therapy. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $26,005. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $62,948. That is a strong return on a $26,005 median debt. Shenandoah University admits about 77% of applicants.
Belmont University landed the #21 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $75,902 early in their careers. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Saint Mary Of The Woods College landed the #22 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods, Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,240. Students borrow a median of $30,915 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of Saint Mary Of The Woods College earn a median of $44,417 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,915 median debt. Saint Mary Of The Woods College admits about 72% of applicants.
Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of $66,520 early in their careers. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University landed the #24 spot for music therapy value this year. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,986. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $54,826. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University placed #25 among the best values for music therapy. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $47,244. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Other Music Therapy Degree Levels
Explore the best-value music therapy schools at other degree levels:
View All Music Therapy Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
