by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 5 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Music Doctor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 114 doctor's degrees in music to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
The music doctor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To account for this we consider a college's overall Best Colleges for a Doctor's Degree ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their doctor's degree from the school. After all, your doctor's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for music students working on their doctor's degree.
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Music Doctor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list to help you make the college decision.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a doctor's degree in music.
It's difficult to beat University of Minnesota - Twin Cities if you wish to pursue a doctor's degree in music. UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the city of Minneapolis.More information about a doctorate in music from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
It's difficult to beat University of Kansas if you want to pursue a doctor's degree in music. Located in the city of Lawrence, KU is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a doctorate in music from University of Kansas
University of Iowa is a good option for students interested in a doctor's degree in music. Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a very large student population.
Students who graduate with their doctorate from the music program report average early career earnings of $44,190.
More information about a doctorate in music from University of Iowa
It is difficult to beat University of Missouri - Kansas City if you want to pursue a doctor's degree in music. Located in the city of Kansas City, UMKC is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Doctorate students who receive their degree from the music program make about $41,184 in their early career salary.
More information about a doctorate in music from University of Missouri - Kansas City
Located in the city of Lincoln, UNL is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a doctorate in music from University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Explore the best music schools for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
Music is one of 10 different types of Visual & Performing Arts programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Music | 91 |
| Music Performance | 15 |
| Music Theory & Composition | 4 |
| Conducting | 2 |
| Music Pedagogy | 2 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Design & Applied Arts | 5 |
| Fine & Studio Arts | 5 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 4 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 2 |
