by our College Data Analytics TeamMusic Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 577 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best music education schools.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Where you study music education matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Music Education Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Music Education Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music education education, regardless of degree level.
Leading the list is Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, our #1 school for music education. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 22 music education degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. See the full music education program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $63,833 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. More information about a degree in music education from University Of California Los Angeles
A rank of #3 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the top schools for music education. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. About 14 music education degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the music education program make about $57,901 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836. Get the full music education details for University Of Maryland College Park
Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 14 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $71,315. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481. More information about a degree in music education from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Miami came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. University Of Miami awarded about 16 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. More information about a degree in music education from University Of Miami
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $51,105 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music education from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Cuny Hunter College earned the #7 position for music education this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 22 music education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $61,604. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about the music education program at Cuny Hunter College
Central Washington University placed #8 among the best music education schools. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 15 music education degrees were awarded at Central Washington University in the most recent year. Music Education graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $49,177 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,377. More information about a degree in music education from Central Washington University
Cuny Brooklyn College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 13 music education degrees were awarded at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent year. Graduates of the music education program make about $61,164 in their early career. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $13,178 in student loans. See the full music education program report for Cuny Brooklyn College
Florida State University earned the #10 position for music education this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 71 music education degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from Florida State University earn around $54,079 in the first couple years of their career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Get the full music education details for Florida State University
Cuny Queens College earned the #11 position for music education this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 57 music education degrees were awarded at Cuny Queens College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $67,212. Cuny Queens College graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Read more about the music education program at Cuny Queens College
San Jose State University earned the #12 position for music education this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 music education degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Get the full music education details for San Jose State University
Iowa State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 12 music education degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from Iowa State University earn around $47,559 in the first couple years of their career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read more about the music education program at Iowa State University
University Of Delaware ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Newark. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. About 24 music education degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Graduates of the music education program make about $49,041 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,298. See the full music education program report for University Of Delaware
University Of Connecticut ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Storrs. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of Connecticut awarded about 18 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $25,777 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full music education details for University Of Connecticut
Texas Christian University placed #16 among the best music education schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. About 85% of students finish within six years. Texas Christian University awarded about 34 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $57,665. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. See the full music education program report for Texas Christian University
University Of Georgia came in at #17 for music education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $61,081 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,750. See the full music education program report for University Of Georgia
New York University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 42 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from New York University earn around $56,866 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,403. More information about a degree in music education from New York University
Boston University earned the #19 position for music education this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. Boston University awarded about 83 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $67,277 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,125. Read more about the music education program at Boston University
Towson University earned the #20 position for music education this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 31 music education degrees were awarded at Towson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from Towson University earn around $56,200 in the first couple years of their career. Towson University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the music education program at Towson University
Arizona State University placed #21 among the best music education schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 31 music education degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Music Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $54,028 early in their careers. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. See the full music education program report for Arizona State University
Illinois State University landed the #22 spot for music education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 36 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $50,102 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,149. Read more about the music education program at Illinois State University
Hofstra University earned the #23 position for music education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hempstead. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 music education students who graduated with this degree at Hofstra University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from Hofstra University earn around $52,451 in the first couple years of their career. Hofstra University graduates carry a median of $23,517 in student loans. Read more about the music education program at Hofstra University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #24 among the best music education schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. About 10 music education degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Get the full music education details for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Butler University earned the #25 position for music education this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 14 music education degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from Butler University earn around $68,222 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,351 to complete this degree. Get the full music education details for Butler University
These schools also placed among the best for music education this year:
The following schools placed in the top tier for music education:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #51 | Rider University | Lawrenceville, NJ |
| #52 | Eastern Washington University | Cheney, WA |
| #55 | Miami University Oxford | Oxford, OH |
| #58 | University Of Louisville | Louisville, KY |
| #60 | Utah State University | Logan, UT |
| #62 | Appalachian State University | Boone, NC |
| #77 | Messiah College | Mechanicsburg, PA |
| #80 | Minnesota State University Mankato | Mankato, MN |
| #84 | East Carolina University | Greenville, NC |
| #85 | University Of Kentucky | Lexington, KY |
| #101 | Bridgewater State University | Bridgewater, MA |
| #114 | Kent State University At Kent | Kent, OH |
| #116 | Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, MI |
| #126 | Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI |
| #151 | Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti, MI |
Also worth considering for music education:
Explore the best music education schools by region.
Music Education is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 577 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
