ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

5 Colleges in the United States
$22,154 Avg Student Debt
$66,935 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Bachelor's Degree Badge [Musicology & Ethnomusicology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/musicology-and-ethnomusicology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong musicology & ethnomusicology education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for musicology & ethnomusicology students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/musicology-and-ethnomusicology/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/musicology-and-ethnomusicology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/musicology-and-ethnomusicology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/musicology-and-ethnomusicology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/musicology-and-ethnomusicology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/musicology-and-ethnomusicology/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/musicology-and-ethnomusicology/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 50.09), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in Music Business" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MBA in Music Business" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 0 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No ESYOH offers, checking direct offers

2026 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the musicology & ethnomusicology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools

1

For return on investment in musicology & ethnomusicology, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $13,303. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

2
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #2 place for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $23,992. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $19,429. Set against $23,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musicology & ethnomusicology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $19,000. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,880 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

4
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $30,454. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

5

A rank of #5 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #101
6
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah came in at #6 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $42,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

7

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #7 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $15,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #8 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

9

West Virginia University earned the #9 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $26,011. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

10

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $23,119. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $22,125. Set against $23,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

ADBLOCK #115
11

Columbus State University earned the #11 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $51,154. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.

12

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $19,397. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

13

Brigham Young University Provo earned the #13 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $10,460 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $22,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

14

Portland State University earned the #14 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $27,846 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $47,717. Set against $27,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

15

University Of Maryland College Park placed #15 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $21,614. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $52,541. Set against $21,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

ADBLOCK #145
16

Northern Arizona University placed #16 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #17 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $24,625. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

18

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #18 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,769 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $15,911. Set against $20,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

19

Suny College At Potsdam earned the #19 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $32,485. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

20

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #20 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $40,920. That is a strong return on a $18,559 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

ADBLOCK #150
21

East Tennessee State University earned the #21 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $30,004. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.

22

University Of Kentucky landed the #22 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $49,568. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

23

Texas Tech University landed the #23 spot for musicology & ethnomusicology value this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $27,816 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

24
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #24 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $38,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

25

University At Buffalo ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for musicology & ethnomusicology this year:

26
27
28
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
29
30
31
32
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
33
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
34
35
36
37
Bennington College crest
Bennington College
Bennington, VT
38
39
40
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
41
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN
42
43
44
45

Other Musicology & Ethnomusicology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value musicology & ethnomusicology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Musicology & Ethnomusicology
Associate's Degrees in Musicology & Ethnomusicology
Master's Degrees in Musicology & Ethnomusicology
ADBLOCK #173
View All Musicology & Ethnomusicology Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 54 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options