2026 Best Value Music History Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in music history in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Music History graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career music history graduates make about $33,384. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Rice University
Houston, TX

A rank of #2 makes Rice University one of the best values for music history. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $11,904. Early-career music history graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

3

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #3 place for music history. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $23,089. Early-career music history graduates make about $32,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

4

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value music history schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, music history degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for music history. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Music History graduates carry a median of $23,119 in student loans. Early-career music history graduates make about $63,833. That is a strong return on a $23,119 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

6

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University earned the #6 position for value in music history this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the music history program here. Soon after graduation, music history degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $26,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

7

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University landed the #7 spot for music history value this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Music History graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Music History graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #8 among the best values for music history. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,397 to complete the music history program here. Early-career music history graduates make about $29,641. Set against $19,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value music history schools. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the music history program here. Soon after graduation, music history degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.

10

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa landed the #10 spot for music history value this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Music History graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music history degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $32,175. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware placed #11 among the best values for music history. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $25,334. Soon after graduation, music history degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Set against $25,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

12

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #12 among the best values for music history. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the music history program here. Music History graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

13

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky landed the #13 spot for music history value this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $23,000. Music History graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $30,818 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

14

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in music history this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Music History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Music History graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

15

Suny College At Potsdam
Potsdam, NY

Suny College At Potsdam placed #15 among the best values for music history. 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, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music history program here. Early-career music history graduates make about $23,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.

16

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value music history schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $20,055. Early-career music history graduates make about $15,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.

17

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University landed the #17 spot for music history value this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $20,537. Early-career music history graduates make about $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.

18

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University landed the #18 spot for music history value this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $27,816 to complete the music history program here. Music History graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $39,571 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

19

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #19 position for value in music history this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for music history graduates is $28,000. Early-career music history graduates make about $24,340. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

20

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in music history this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Music History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, music history degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

21

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo landed the #21 spot for music history value this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the music history program here. Early-career music history graduates make about $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.

22

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #22 position for value in music history this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,288 to complete the music history program here. Early-career music history graduates make about $32,416. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

23

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #23 among the best values for music history. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.

24

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in music history this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the music history program here. Music History graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $27,559 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.

25

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value music history schools. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Music History graduates carry a median of $25,675 in student loans. Music History graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.