Museum Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 95 schools to find the best for museum studies students.
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Choosing a Great Museum Studies School
The school you choose for museum studies can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Museum Studies rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Museum Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
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Best Schools for Museum Studies in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the museum studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in museum studies. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 10 museum studies degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the museum studies program make about $66,254 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in museum studies from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in museum studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 15 museum studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275.
Get the full museum studies details for The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Maryland College Park is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in museum studies, ranking #3. 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. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 11 museum studies degrees in the most recent data year. Museum Studies graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836.
Read more about the museum studies program at University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in museum studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 22 museum studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the museum studies program make about $57,375 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,295.
See the full museum studies program report for University Of Iowa
New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in museum studies, ranking #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 29 museum studies students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their museum studies degree from New York University earn around $64,516 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,897.
Read more about the museum studies program at New York University
Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best museum studies schools. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 museum studies students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $63,515. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in museum studies from Rochester Institute Of Technology
George Washington University came in at #7 for museum studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 55 museum studies degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the museum studies program make about $42,498 in their early career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans.
Get the full museum studies details for George Washington University
University Of Georgia came in at #8 for museum studies this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. About 27 museum studies degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree.
See the full museum studies program report for University Of Georgia
Harvard University came in at #9 for museum studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 85 museum studies students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the museum studies program make about $44,792 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Read more about the museum studies program at Harvard University
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #10 position for museum studies this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 12 museum studies degrees in the most recent data year. Museum Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in museum studies from University Of Colorado Boulder
Johns Hopkins University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best museum studies schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 101 museum studies degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $41,463. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
See the full museum studies program report for Johns Hopkins University
University Of Kansas landed the #12 spot for museum studies this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Kansas awarded about 18 museum studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the museum studies program make about $56,289 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,608.
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Georgetown University placed #13 among the best museum studies schools. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 museum studies students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the museum studies program make about $41,215 in their early career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans.
See the full museum studies program report for Georgetown University
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #14 position for museum studies this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. About 18 museum studies degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the museum studies program make about $49,736 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,546.
Get the full museum studies details for Ohio University Main Campus
San Francisco State University placed #15 among the best museum studies schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 11 museum studies degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Museum Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete this degree.
See the full museum studies program report for San Francisco State University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #16 spot for museum studies this year. 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 26 museum studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the museum studies program make about $32,388 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans.
See the full museum studies program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #17 for museum studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 museum studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their museum studies degree from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn around $37,453 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,657.
Read more about the museum studies program at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #18 position for museum studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. About 29 museum studies degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Students who receive their museum studies degree from Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn around $72,222 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree.
Read more about the museum studies program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Fashion Institute Of Technology landed the #19 spot for museum studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 12 museum studies students who graduated with this degree at Fashion Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their museum studies degree from Fashion Institute Of Technology earn around $48,369 in the first couple years of their career. Fashion Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $17,912 in student loans.
More information about a degree in museum studies from Fashion Institute Of Technology
Syracuse University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best museum studies schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 12 museum studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $31,080. Typical student debt for the program is $26,130.
Read more about the museum studies program at Syracuse University
Tufts University came in at #21 for museum studies this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 museum studies students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their museum studies degree from Tufts University earn around $31,434 in the first couple years of their career. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans.
More information about a degree in museum studies from Tufts University
Cuny Hunter College placed #22 among the best museum studies schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 10 museum studies degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Museum Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete this degree.
See the full museum studies program report for Cuny Hunter College
Suny College At Oneonta placed #23 among the best museum studies schools. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 25 museum studies degrees were awarded at Suny College At Oneonta in the most recent year. Museum Studies graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $40,063 early in their careers. Suny College At Oneonta graduates carry a median of $22,046 in student loans.
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Texas Tech University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best museum studies schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 16 museum studies degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Graduates of the museum studies program make about $32,400 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,271.
See the full museum studies program report for Texas Tech University
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #25 position for museum studies this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates 54% of students within six years. About 15 museum studies degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Museum Studies graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $31,415 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete this degree.
See the full museum studies program report for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Rest of the Top 26 Museum Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s museum studies ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 95 schools evaluated.
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).
