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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Music Performance Schools in Texas

10 Colleges in the United States
311 Music Performance Degrees Awarded
$36,371 Avg Early-Career Salary

Music Performance is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music performance students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Music Performance in Texas

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music performance education in Texas.

Top Schools in Music Performance

1

Leading the list is University Of Houston, our #1 school for music performance. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 music performance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $52,799 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music performance from University Of Houston

2

Texas Christian University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best music performance schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from Texas Christian University earn around $60,035 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Get the full music performance details for Texas Christian University

3

The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 21 music performance students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $33,937 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full music performance details for The University Of Texas At Austin

4

The University Of Texas At Arlington is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music performance, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 12 music performance students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $37,020. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $24,911 in student loans. Read more about the music performance program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

5

Southern Methodist University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best music performance schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 music performance degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music performance degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $26,308 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,417. See the full music performance program report for Southern Methodist University

6

Texas State University San Marcos placed #6 among the best music performance schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $39,318. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans. Read more about the music performance program at Texas State University San Marcos

7

University Of North Texas came in at #7 for music performance this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 131 music performance students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from University Of North Texas earn around $36,763 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $24,456 in student loans. See the full music performance program report for University Of North Texas

8

Baylor University earned the #8 position for music performance this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 music performance degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $10,210 in their early career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full music performance details for Baylor University

9
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best music performance schools. This large public university is located in the town of Levelland. South Plains College awarded about 30 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Music Performance graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,788. Get the full music performance details for South Plains College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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