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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Music Education Schools in the Southeast Region

55 Colleges in the United States
750 Music Education Degrees Awarded
$47,466 Avg Early-Career Salary

Music Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 157 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Music Education in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music education education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Music Education

1
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

No school ranked higher than University Of Miami this year for music education. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 16 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $57,234 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music education from University Of Miami

2
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

A rank of #2 makes Florida State University one of the top schools for music education. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 71 music education students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from Florida State University earn around $54,079 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Get the full music education details for Florida State University

3

University Of Georgia came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 21 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $61,081 early in their careers. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Get the full music education details for University Of Georgia

4
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 55 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $51,476 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,275 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at University Of Florida

5

Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 26 music education degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $51,543. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete this degree. Get the full music education details for University Of South Florida Main Campus

6
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University landed the #6 spot for music education this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 music education degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Music Education graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. See the full music education program report for Vanderbilt University

7
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 12 music education degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $60,823. Typical student debt for the program is $23,600. More information about a degree in music education from Auburn University

8

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #8 among the best music education schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 22 music education students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn around $32,318 in the first couple years of their career. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $22,728 in student loans. See the full music education program report for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

9

University Of Louisville came in at #9 for music education this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 music education degrees were awarded at University Of Louisville in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $56,181. University Of Louisville graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in music education from University Of Louisville

10

Appalachian State University placed #10 among the best music education schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 music education students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $44,026 early in their careers. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $21,614 in student loans. Get the full music education details for Appalachian State University

11

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 12 music education degrees were awarded at Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn around $38,719 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University

12

University Of North Florida landed the #12 spot for music education this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 17 music education degrees were awarded at University Of North Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the music education program make about $47,219 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at University Of North Florida

13

The University Of Alabama came in at #13 for music education this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. About 14 music education degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $28,391 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full music education program report for The University Of Alabama

14

University Of Central Florida ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $38,466 in their early career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,088 in student loans. Read more about the music education program at University Of Central Florida

15

Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Fort Myers. About 57% of students finish within six years. Florida Gulf Coast University awarded about 10 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,726 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,015. Get the full music education details for Florida Gulf Coast University

16

Georgia College And State University came in at #16 for music education this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Georgia College And State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 20 music education degrees were awarded at Georgia College And State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music education program make about $52,718 in their early career. Georgia College And State University graduates carry a median of $24,412 in student loans. See the full music education program report for Georgia College And State University

17

East Carolina University earned the #17 position for music education this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 music education students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $48,318 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full music education program report for East Carolina University

18

University Of Kentucky landed the #18 spot for music education this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $42,057 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,002. See the full music education program report for University Of Kentucky

19
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University placed #19 among the best music education schools. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Shenandoah University awarded about 19 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $51,601. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full music education program report for Shenandoah University

20

Western Carolina University placed #20 among the best music education schools. This large public university is located in the town of Cullowhee. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 music education students who graduated with this degree at Western Carolina University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $41,444 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. See the full music education program report for Western Carolina University

21
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University earned the #21 position for music education this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Mississippi State. Mississippi State University graduates 67% of students within six years. Mississippi State University awarded about 23 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $44,420. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree. See the full music education program report for Mississippi State University

22
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 70% of students finish within six years. Belmont University awarded about 18 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from Belmont University earn around $49,699 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,447. More information about a degree in music education from Belmont University

23
William Carey University crest
William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MS

William Carey University placed #23 among the best music education schools. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 music education degrees were awarded at William Carey University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $52,790. Typical student debt for the program is $25,524. See the full music education program report for William Carey University

24

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #24 among the best music education schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates 56% of students within six years. About 48 music education degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Music Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $43,033 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in music education from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

25

Kennesaw State University came in at #25 for music education this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kennesaw State University awarded about 24 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $45,243 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. Get the full music education details for Kennesaw State University

Rest of the Top 34 Music Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong music education education:

26
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34

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Notes and References

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 · 157 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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