by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-history/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong music history education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music history students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music history degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in music history, no school beat West Chester University Of Pennsylvania this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Temple University earned it the #2 place for music history. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $24,000. Early-career music history graduates make about $54,642. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value music history schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Students borrow a median of $26,923 to complete the music history program here. Music History graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $18,462 early in their careers. Set against $26,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.