2027 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Master’s Degree Schools
[Musicology & Ethnomusicology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/musicology-and-ethnomusicology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for musicology & ethnomusicology students.
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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
Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for musicology & ethnomusicology 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $16,996. 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. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, 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 $26,016. That is a strong return on a $23,992 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musicology & ethnomusicology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musicology & ethnomusicology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $23,119. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $15,520. Set against $23,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $29,507. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Rice University earned the #7 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #8 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, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #9 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $21,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $39,616. Set against $21,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #10 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $24,625. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $23,379 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #11 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $54,507. Set against $10,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #12 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $60,527. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Columbus State University landed the #13 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. 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. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $51,154. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University came in at #14 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $26,011. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $20,769. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $22,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,769 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #16 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $42,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University came in at #17 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $27,816. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #18 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Oregon came in at #19 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $20,583 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $44,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $24,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Boston University came in at #21 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $26,957. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $30,982. That is a strong return on a $26,957 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $34,486. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University came in at #24 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,166 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $21,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Rochester earned the #25 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Students borrow a median of $26,769 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $18,056 early in their careers. Set against $26,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in musicology & ethnomusicology:
Other Musicology & Ethnomusicology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value musicology & ethnomusicology schools at other degree levels:
View All Musicology & Ethnomusicology Rankings >
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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
