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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Music Therapy Bachelor’s Degree Schools

22 Colleges in the United States
$24,482 Avg Student Debt
$57,654 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Music Therapy Bachelor's Degree Badge [Music Therapy](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/music-therapy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 84 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for music therapy students.

What’s on this page:

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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

1
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Our analysis ranked Florida State University the best value for a degree in music therapy in the United States. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, 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. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

2

Montclair State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music therapy, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #3 place for music therapy. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $44,359. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in music therapy will find it at Utah State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $16,191. 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. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5

Sam Houston State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music therapy, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.

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6

Cleveland State University placed #6 among the best values for music therapy. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $66,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

7

Eastern Michigan University came in at #7 for value in music therapy this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $33,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Louisville placed #8 among the best values for music therapy. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $58,534. That is a strong return on a $21,910 median debt. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.

9

Western Michigan University placed #9 among the best values for music therapy. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,668 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $60,669. That is a strong return on a $26,668 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

10

Georgia College And State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music therapy schools. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,186, compared with $29,512 for out-of-state students. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $24,412 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $51,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

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11

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. 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 $41,797. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.

12

University Of The Incarnate Word earned the #12 position for value in music therapy this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $24,103. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $22,919. That is a strong return on a $24,103 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

13
Wartburg College crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College came in at #13 for value in music therapy this year. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. In-state tuition and fees average $26,250. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,793 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $46,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,793 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

14
Marywood University crest
Marywood University
Scranton, PA

Marywood University came in at #14 for value in music therapy this year. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Students from in state pay about $41,420 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,996 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

15
Seton Hill University crest
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA

Seton Hill University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value music therapy schools. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,944 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $26,556. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $42,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seton Hill University admits about 80% of applicants.

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16

Indiana Wesleyan University earned the #16 position for value in music therapy this year. Set in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,352 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,606 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $34,418. Set against $25,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of The Pacific came in at #17 for value in music therapy this year. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,080. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $23,514. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $88,755. That is a strong return on a $23,514 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

18

Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value music therapy schools. Set in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $58,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Wisconsin admits about 78% of applicants.

19

Mercyhurst College came in at #19 for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $25,705. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $46,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

20
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University came in at #20 for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $40,085. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

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21
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University came in at #21 for value in music therapy this year. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. Students from in state pay about $36,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $26,005. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $73,888. That is a strong return on a $26,005 median debt. Shenandoah University admits about 77% of applicants.

22
Nazareth College crest
Nazareth College
Rochester, NY

Nazareth College landed the #22 spot for music therapy value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $39,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

23
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University came in at #23 for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $71,021 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

24
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami placed #24 among the best values for music therapy. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $17,750. Music Therapy graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $73,125 early in their careers. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.

25

Berklee College Of Music came in at #25 for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,040. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $23,750. Music Therapy graduates of Berklee College Of Music earn a median of $36,349 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berklee College Of Music admits about 44% of applicants.

Other Music Therapy Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Music Therapy rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Music Therapy
Associate's Degrees in Music Therapy
Master's Degrees in Music Therapy
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View All Music Therapy Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 84 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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