by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/music-history/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for music history students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in music history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked West Chester University Of Pennsylvania the best value for a degree in music history in Pennsylvania. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in music history will find it at Temple University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the music history program here. Early-career music history graduates make about $20,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne earned it the #3 place for music history. Located in the suburb of Langhorne, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,659. Students borrow a median of $28,212 to complete the music history program here. Soon after graduation, music history degree recipients from Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne generally make around $40,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in music history, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.