2026 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Master’s Degree Schools
[Musicology & Ethnomusicology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/musicology-and-ethnomusicology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong musicology & ethnomusicology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools.
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2026 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in musicology & ethnomusicology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among musicology & ethnomusicology schools in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #2 place for musicology & ethnomusicology. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $23,992. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $26,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $26,000. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $29,507. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rice University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. 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. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $30,454. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $41,847. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah came in at #6 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $16,500. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $42,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #7 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
West Virginia University landed the #8 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $26,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. 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, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $23,119 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $15,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #10 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $10,460 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $22,625 early in their careers. Set against $10,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University earned the #11 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #12 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $19,397 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $19,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $21,614 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $39,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #14 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology 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, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $23,379. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #15 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $20,769 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $22,513. Set against $20,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Kentucky landed the #16 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value 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. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $23,000. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #17 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $26,750. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $42,484. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Texas Tech University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $27,816 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. That is a strong return on a $27,816 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,196 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Students borrow a median of $20,583 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $20,707. Set against $20,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #21 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $23,946 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $25,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,946 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Boston University landed the #23 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,957 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $30,982. Set against $26,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University landed the #24 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $18,166 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $21,290 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,166 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Liberty University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $27,000. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $39,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for musicology & ethnomusicology this year:
Other Musicology & Ethnomusicology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value musicology & ethnomusicology schools at other degree levels:
View All Musicology & Ethnomusicology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
