2027 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Bachelor’s Degree 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 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for musicology & ethnomusicology students.
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2027 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. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $16,996. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #2 place for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. 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%.
A rank of #3 makes Florida State University one of the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $23,992 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $19,429 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. 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 $22,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musicology & ethnomusicology, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $19,397. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,397 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Rice University placed #6 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $30,454. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #7 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $15,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Portland State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $27,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. That is a strong return on a $27,846 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #10 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. 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. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $13,128. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #11 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $52,541. That is a strong return on a $21,614 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University placed #12 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $21,645. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Columbus State University earned the #13 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $51,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #14 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $10,460. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah came in at #15 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #16 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $26,011 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Potsdam placed #17 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $32,485. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University came in at #18 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $30,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #19 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $20,769. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $15,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #20 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. 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. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Texas Tech University earned the #21 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #22 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #23 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $38,656. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Oregon earned the #24 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. 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 came in at #25 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology 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. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $24,340. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s musicology & ethnomusicology value ranking:
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
