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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Music Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

41 Colleges in the United States
938 General Music Degrees Awarded
$34,845 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Music 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 140 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general music students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Music in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general music education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in General Music

1

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general music. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 general music degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. See the full general music program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

2

Students looking for a strong general music program will find one at The College Of New Jersey, which ranked #2. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Ewing. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 general music students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $56,617 in their early career. The College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $24,429 in student loans. Read more about the general music program at The College Of New Jersey

3

University Of Maryland College Park is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general music, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 57 general music degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $52,541 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,614. Read more about the general music program at University Of Maryland College Park

4

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general music 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. There were roughly 57 general music students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Read more about the general music program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

5
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 general music students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $32,781. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general music from Rowan University

6

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #6 spot for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. About 11 general music degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $36,818 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general music from Rutgers University New Brunswick

7
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University placed #7 among the best general music schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 general music students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from New York University generally make around $28,287. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full general music details for New York University

8

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 22 general music degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. More information about a degree in general music from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

9

Montclair State University earned the #9 position for general music this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 87 general music degrees were awarded at Montclair State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from Montclair State University earn around $41,164 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general music details for Montclair State University

10

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #10 among the best general music schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 general music students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $32,924 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. Read more about the general music program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

11

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 10 general music degrees were awarded at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general music program make about $61,459 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,691. More information about a degree in general music from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

12

University Of Delaware came in at #12 for general music this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 general music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $38,417 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,334 to complete this degree. Get the full general music details for University Of Delaware

13
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #13 for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Towson University awarded about 28 general music degrees in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of Towson University earn a median of $19,618 early in their careers. Towson University graduates carry a median of $19,102 in student loans. See the full general music program report for Towson University

14
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University landed the #14 spot for general music this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Salisbury. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Salisbury University awarded about 10 general music degrees in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $45,476 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,545. Read more about the general music program at Salisbury University

15

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 for general music this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Slippery Rock. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania graduates 66% of students within six years. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 17 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $37,660. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the general music program at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

16
Ithaca College crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College landed the #16 spot for general music this year. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 general music degrees were awarded at Ithaca College in the most recent year. General Music graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $23,119 early in their careers. Ithaca College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full general music details for Ithaca College

17
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 general music students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of Temple University earn a median of $20,667 early in their careers. Temple University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. See the full general music program report for Temple University

18

Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 14 general music degrees in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. Get the full general music details for Cuny Graduate School And University Center

19

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #19 for general music this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 37 general music degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $23,278. Students borrow a median of $24,431 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general music from Carnegie Mellon University

20
Muhlenberg College crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA

Muhlenberg College placed #20 among the best general music schools. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 general music students who graduated with this degree at Muhlenberg College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Muhlenberg College generally make around $35,641. Typical student debt for the program is $26,259. See the full general music program report for Muhlenberg College

21
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University earned the #21 position for general music this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hempstead. About 68% of students finish within six years. Hofstra University awarded about 17 general music degrees in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $15,592 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general music from Hofstra University

22

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary landed the #22 spot for general music this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 10 general music students who graduated with this degree at Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $48,472 in their early career. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. More information about a degree in general music from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary

23
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University came in at #23 for general music this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 11 general music degrees were awarded at Duquesne University in the most recent year. General Music graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $27,854 early in their careers. Duquesne University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full general music program report for Duquesne University

24

Suffolk County Community College landed the #24 spot for general music this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. There were roughly 14 general music students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general music from Suffolk County Community College

25

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #25 for general music this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus awarded about 44 general music degrees in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $41,939 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,956. See the full general music program report for Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

Rest of the Top 39 General Music Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general music this year:

26
Monmouth University crest
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ
27
Nazareth College crest
Nazareth College
Rochester, NY
28
29
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
30
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
31
32
33
Howard University crest
Howard University
Washington, DC
34
35
Cuny York College crest
Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY
36
37
38
39

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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 · 140 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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