2026 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools in the Southeast Region
[Musicology & Ethnomusicology](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/musicology-and-ethnomusicology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for musicology & ethnomusicology students.
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2026 Best Value Musicology & Ethnomusicology Schools in the Southeast Region
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
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro tops our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $24,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #2 place for musicology & ethnomusicology. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $23,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $26,311. Set against $23,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, musicology & ethnomusicology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $32,880. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in musicology & ethnomusicology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $51,154. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
West Virginia University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $25,000. 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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University came in at #6 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $23,000. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $30,004. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Kentucky came in at #7 for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career musicology & ethnomusicology graduates make about $49,568. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Liberty University earned the #8 position for value in musicology & ethnomusicology this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for musicology & ethnomusicology graduates is $27,000. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $33,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Miami ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value musicology & ethnomusicology schools. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $13,998 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $23,991 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,998 median debt. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.
Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #10 among the best values for musicology & ethnomusicology. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,678. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Musicology & Ethnomusicology graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
