2027 Best Value Music History Master’s Degree Schools
[Music History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-history/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for music history students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Music History Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Music History Schools
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among music history schools in the United States. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete the music history program here. Music History graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $23,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for music history. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Music History graduates carry a median of $19,397 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music history degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Rice University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music history schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Music History graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career music history graduates make about $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Students looking for strong value in music history will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $23,089. Music History graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,932 early in their careers. Set against $23,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music history will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $16,481. Early-career music history graduates make about $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value music history schools. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $23,844. Music History graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $43,246 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #7 position for value in music history this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $19,500. Music History graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Delaware landed the #8 spot for music history value this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $25,334. Soon after graduation, music history degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $38,417. That is a strong return on a $25,334 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in music history this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Music History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music History graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
West Virginia University earned the #10 position for value in music history this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Music History graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music history degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $26,011. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #11 for value in music history this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Music History graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career music history graduates make about $30,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Stony Brook University placed #12 among the best values for music history. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Music History graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Early-career music history graduates make about $60,047. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Kansas State University earned the #13 position for value in music history this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the music history program here. Music History graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Texas Tech University placed #14 among the best values for music history. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Music History graduates carry a median of $27,816 in student loans. Music History graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for music history. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Music History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music History graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $32,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #16 position for value in music history this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Music History graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Music History graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #17 spot for music history value this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama landed the #18 spot for music history value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $25,675. Early-career music history graduates make about $50,740. That is a strong return on a $25,675 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for music history value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music history program here. Early-career music history graduates make about $34,486. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Rider University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value music history schools. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Music History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music History graduates of Rider University earn a median of $33,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #21 spot for music history value this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $17,288 to complete the music history program here. Early-career music history graduates make about $55,861. Set against $17,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University placed #22 among the best values for music history. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $24,000. Music History graduates of Temple University earn a median of $54,642 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Rochester ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value music history schools. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Students borrow a median of $26,769 to complete the music history program here. Early-career music history graduates make about $60,865. That is a strong return on a $26,769 median debt. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Liberty University came in at #24 for value in music history this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $27,000. Music History graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $39,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Hartford landed the #25 spot for music history value this year. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,075. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music history program here. Early-career music history graduates make about $51,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Music History Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music history value ranking:
Other Music History Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Music History rankings across degree levels:
View All Music History 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
