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

14 Colleges in the United States
$24,818 Avg Student Debt
$59,305 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Music Therapy Master'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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 84 schools to find the best return on investment 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

Florida State University tops our 2026 list of the best value music therapy schools in the United States. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

Students looking for strong value in music therapy will find it at Texas Womans University, which ranked #2. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $24,211. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $68,565. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #3 place for music therapy. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $16,202. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $55,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

4

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music therapy schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. 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. Music Therapy graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $60,386 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Gulf Coast University earned it the #5 place for music therapy. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $20,015. Music Therapy graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $72,862 early in their careers. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

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Utah State University came in at #6 for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

7

Eastern Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for music therapy. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $52,615 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

8

University Of Kentucky came in at #8 for value in music therapy this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $48,176. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

9
University Of Indianapolis crest
University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

University Of Indianapolis placed #9 among the best values for music therapy. 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. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,699 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $67,392 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,699 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

10

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value music therapy schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $42,447. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

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11
Seton Hill University crest
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA

Seton Hill University came in at #11 for value in music therapy this year. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Students from in state pay about $42,944 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $26,556. Music Therapy graduates of Seton Hill University earn a median of $42,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,556 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

12
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Carroll University earned the #12 position for value in music therapy this year. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the music therapy program here. Early-career music therapy graduates make about $67,342. That is a strong return on a $26,904 median debt. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.

13
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College placed #13 among the best values for music therapy. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,452. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $26,319. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $59,409. That is a strong return on a $26,319 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

14

Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value music therapy schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,166. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $61,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.

15
Elizabethtown College crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA

Elizabethtown College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value music therapy schools. Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,950. Students borrow a median of $26,599 to complete the music therapy program here. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Elizabethtown College generally make around $66,391. That is a strong return on a $26,599 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

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Concordia University Wisconsin came in at #16 for value in music therapy this year. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $21,875. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $58,227. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

17
Molloy College crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY

Molloy College came in at #17 for value in music therapy this year. Located in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for music therapy graduates is $27,420. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Molloy College generally make around $65,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

18
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University placed #18 among the best values for music therapy. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $64,509. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

19
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University landed the #19 spot for music therapy value this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,950 in tuition and fees. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $26,005 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $68,100. That is a strong return on a $26,005 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

20
Nazareth College crest
Nazareth College
Rochester, NY

Nazareth College earned the #20 position for value in music therapy this year. Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $42,210. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Nazareth College earn a median of $50,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Nazareth College admits about 75% of applicants.

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21
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University landed the #21 spot for music therapy value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Music Therapy graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Music Therapy graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $75,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,447 median debt. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.

22
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University landed the #22 spot for music therapy value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. 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 $69,086 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

23
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University earned the #23 position for value in music therapy this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the music therapy program here. Soon after graduation, music therapy degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $47,244. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

24
Saint Mary Of The Woods College crest
Saint Mary Of The Woods College
Saint Mary of the Woods, IN

Saint Mary Of The Woods College landed the #24 spot for music therapy value this year. Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods. In-state tuition and fees average $34,240. Students borrow a median of $30,915 to complete the music therapy program here. Music Therapy graduates of Saint Mary Of The Woods College earn a median of $44,417 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,915 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

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
Bachelor's Degrees in Music Therapy
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View All Music Therapy Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 14 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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