2026 Best Value Music Therapy Schools
[Music Therapy](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/music-therapy/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 84 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value music therapy schools.
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Finding the Best Value Music Therapy School for You
The music therapy program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Music Therapy Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Music Therapy Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Music Therapy Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the music therapy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Music Therapy Schools
For return on investment in music therapy, no school beat Texas Womans University this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $60,449 early in their careers. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in music therapy will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #2. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $43,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #3 place for music therapy. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $22,937 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $55,713. That is a strong return on a $22,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in music therapy will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #4. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $55,764. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Gulf Coast University earned it the #5 place for music therapy. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $72,862. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Montclair State University earned the #6 position for value in music therapy this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $25,286. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $44,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University earned the #7 position for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Utah State University landed the #8 spot for music therapy value this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #9 position for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University landed the #10 spot for music therapy value this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $46,365. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Kansas earned the #11 position for value in music therapy this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the music therapy program here. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $68,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University came in at #12 for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $66,152. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #13 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $24,094. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $67,402. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Louisville earned the #14 position for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $58,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #15 spot for music therapy value this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $43,271 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
William Carey University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value music therapy schools. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $25,079. Music Therapy graduates of William Carey University earn a median of $46,292 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,079 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #17 spot for music therapy value this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $26,668. Music Therapy graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $60,669 early in their careers. Set against $26,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Indianapolis came in at #18 for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,200. Students borrow a median of $26,699 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $70,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia College And State University landed the #19 spot for music therapy value this year. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. Students from in state pay about $9,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $24,412 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Georgia College And State University generally make around $51,197. That is a strong return on a $24,412 median debt. Georgia College And State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Evansville earned the #20 position for value in music therapy this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,172. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $25,234. Music Therapy graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $74,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #21 among the best values for music therapy. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music therapy program here. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $51,364. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for music therapy. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $24,546. Music Therapy graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $75,234 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of The Incarnate Word ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value music therapy schools. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,090. Students borrow a median of $24,103 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Wartburg College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value music therapy schools. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,250. Students borrow a median of $26,793 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $46,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Marywood University placed #25 among the best values for music therapy. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $26,996. Music Therapy graduates of Marywood University earn a median of $36,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Music Therapy Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in music therapy:
Narrow Music Therapy Schools by Region
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Music Therapy is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
