2026 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools in New York

[Musicology & Ethnomusicology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/musicology-and-ethnomusicology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for musicology & ethnomusicology students.
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2026 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in musicology & ethnomusicology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among musicology & ethnomusicology schools in New York. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $41,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Suny College At Potsdam is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musicology & ethnomusicology, landing the #3 spot this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $32,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musicology & ethnomusicology, landing the #4 spot 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. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in musicology & ethnomusicology will find it at University Of Rochester, which ranked #5. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Students borrow a median of $26,769 to complete the musicology & ethnomusicology program here. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $27,409. Set against $26,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.