2026 Best Music Performance Schools in the New England Region

1

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in music performance. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. Yale University awarded about 29 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $21,250 in their early career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Read more about the music performance program at Yale University

2

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best music performance schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 102 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $30,982 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,957 to complete this degree. Get the full music performance details for Boston University

3

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music performance, ranking #3. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 music performance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Music Performance graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $30,429 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the music performance program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

4

Longy School Of Music Of Bard College
Cambridge, MA

A rank of #4 makes Longy School Of Music Of Bard College one of the top schools for music performance. Set in the city of Cambridge, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 18 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Longy School Of Music Of Bard College in the most recent data year. Music Performance graduates of Longy School Of Music Of Bard College earn a median of $30,660 early in their careers. Get the full music performance details for Longy School Of Music Of Bard College

5

Berklee College Of Music
Boston, MA

Berklee College Of Music is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #5 spot this year. Berklee College Of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 283 music performance degrees were awarded at Berklee College Of Music in the most recent year. Students who receive their music performance degree from Berklee College Of Music earn around $21,670 in the first couple years of their career. Berklee College Of Music graduates carry a median of $24,979 in student loans. See the full music performance program report for Berklee College Of Music

6

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine landed the #6 spot for music performance this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern Maine awarded about 13 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,003. University Of Southern Maine graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. More information about a degree in music performance from University Of Southern Maine

7

The New England Conservatory Of Music
Boston, MA

The New England Conservatory Of Music earned the #7 position for music performance this year. Set in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The New England Conservatory Of Music awarded about 15 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from The New England Conservatory Of Music generally make around $24,499. Typical student debt for the program is $26,991. Read more about the music performance program at The New England Conservatory Of Music