2027 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools in the Southeast Region

[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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools in the Southeast Region
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 Florida State University this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $23,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $26,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #2 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. 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 $24,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State University earned it the #4 place for musicology & ethnomusicology. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, 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. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
West Virginia University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musicology & ethnomusicology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $26,011 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University came in at #6 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $30,004. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Kentucky earned the #7 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Liberty University placed #8 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $33,956. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Miami placed #9 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $13,998. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $23,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.
Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #10 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,678. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $53,507. That is a strong return on a $22,077 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Narrow Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools by State
More Musicology & Ethnomusicology Rankings
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.