2027 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools
[Musicology & Ethnomusicology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/musicology-and-ethnomusicology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for musicology & ethnomusicology students.
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Finding the Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology School for You
Where you study musicology & ethnomusicology affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
See how we build our rankings
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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 Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the musicology & ethnomusicology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools
For return on investment in musicology & ethnomusicology, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $16,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musicology & ethnomusicology, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $19,000. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $32,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Florida State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $23,992 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $26,311. Set against $23,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in musicology & ethnomusicology will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. 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 musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,823 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.
Students looking for strong value in musicology & ethnomusicology will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #5. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #6 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $19,397 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #7 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $24,315. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rice University landed the #8 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Rice University earn a median of $30,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $27,846 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Set against $27,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #10 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University came in at #11 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #12 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $25,536. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #13 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $21,614 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $52,541 early in their careers. Set against $21,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #14 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,460 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $54,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah came in at #16 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $60,527. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny College At Potsdam earned the #17 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $27,000. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $32,485. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
West Virginia University came in at #18 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $26,011. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University placed #19 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $30,004. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #20 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,769 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $28,328. That is a strong return on a $20,769 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #21 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $40,920. Set against $18,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Texas Tech University earned the #23 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,816 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Set against $27,816 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #24 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $40,570 early in their careers. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Oregon came in at #25 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $20,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $20,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s musicology & ethnomusicology value ranking:
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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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
