2026 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Bachelor’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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for musicology & ethnomusicology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $13,303. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #2 place for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $23,992. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $19,429. Set against $23,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musicology & ethnomusicology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $19,000. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,880 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
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. The acceptance rate is 8%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. 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 Utah came in at #6 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $42,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #7 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. 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 $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 placed #8 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. 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 earned the #9 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. 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. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $22,125. Set against $23,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $51,154. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. 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. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $19,397. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #13 position 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. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $22,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University earned the #14 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $27,846 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $47,717. Set against $27,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #15 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $21,614. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $52,541. Set against $21,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Northern Arizona University placed #16 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #17 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, 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 $57,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #18 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,769 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $15,911. Set against $20,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Potsdam earned the #19 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $27,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #20 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $40,920. That is a strong return on a $18,559 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
East Tennessee State University earned the #21 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $30,004. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $49,568. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #23 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Michigan State University came in at #24 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $38,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University At Buffalo ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rest of the Top 45 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. 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
