2027 Best Value Music Therapy Schools in the Southeast Region
[Music Therapy](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/music-therapy/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music therapy education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music therapy students.
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2027 Best Value Music Therapy Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music therapy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music Therapy Schools
Leading the list is Florida State University, our #1 best value for music therapy in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $43,422 early in their careers. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in music therapy will find it at Florida Gulf Coast University, which ranked #2. 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. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Radford University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $25,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $47,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
William Carey University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music therapy, landing the #4 spot this year. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $25,079. Music Therapy graduates of William Carey University earn a median of $46,292 early in their careers. Set against $25,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Carey University admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Appalachian State University earned it the #5 place for music therapy. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $42,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. 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, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $58,534. Set against $21,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #7 spot for music therapy value this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the music therapy program here. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $67,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Georgia College And State University landed the #8 spot for music therapy value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $24,412 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Georgia College And State University generally make around $51,197. That is a strong return on a $24,412 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Charleston Southern University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $32,520. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,569 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $46,288. That is a strong return on a $27,569 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama placed #10 among the best values for music therapy. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $24,496. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Shenandoah University landed the #11 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,950. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $26,005. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $73,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Belmont University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value music therapy schools. 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. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $73,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami placed #13 among the best values for music therapy. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $17,750. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $73,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
