2026 Best Music Schools

1

Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Leading the list is Dartmouth College, our #1 school for music. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. About 15 music degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for Dartmouth College

2

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #2. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 19 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

3

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 30 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Stanford University

4

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Students looking for a strong music program will find one at Case Western Reserve University, which ranked #4. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Case Western Reserve University awarded about 19 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Case Western Reserve University earn around $74,459 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Case Western Reserve University

5

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

A rank of #5 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the top schools for music. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 49 music degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the music program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

6

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University placed #6 among the best music schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 45 music students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $77,997 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the music program at Vanderbilt University

7

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #7 for music this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Music graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $32,880 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

8

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 43 music degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. More information about a degree in music from San Jose State University

9

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #9 spot for music this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 36 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from University Of California Santa Barbara

10

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. About 77 music degrees were awarded at University Of Utah in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $42,548. University Of Utah graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Read more about the music program at University Of Utah

11

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida placed #11 among the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 85 music degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Music graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $22,559 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at University Of Florida

12

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University placed #12 among the best music schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 141 music degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $28,057. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $18,166 in student loans. Read more about the music program at Northwestern University

13

The College Of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ

The College Of New Jersey landed the #13 spot for music this year. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 14 music students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Music graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $56,617 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,429. Read more about the music program at The College Of New Jersey

14

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #14 for music this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 30 music degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $69,126 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,131 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

15

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University came in at #15 for music this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 music students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,025. See the full music program report for Brown University

16

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 87 music degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $52,541 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,614. See the full music program report for University Of Maryland College Park

17

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University placed #17 among the best music schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. James Madison University awarded about 93 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $36,106 in their early career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $20,968 in student loans. Read more about the music program at James Madison University

18

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #18 for music this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. About 80 music degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Get the full music details for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

19

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University landed the #19 spot for music this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Sonoma State University awarded about 22 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $51,140 in their early career. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $18,031 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Sonoma State University

20

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston came in at #20 for music this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. About 103 music degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Houston earn around $52,799 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full music details for University Of Houston

21

County College Of Morris
Randolph, NJ

County College Of Morris landed the #21 spot for music this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. County College Of Morris awarded about 16 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from County College Of Morris earn around $30,966 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,420. Read more about the music program at County College Of Morris

22

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #22 position for music this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 47 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $35,863. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Illinois State University

23

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #23 among the best music schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn around $38,029 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Read more about the music program at University Of Mississippi Main Campus

24

University Of The Pacific
Stockton, CA

University Of The Pacific ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Stockton. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. University Of The Pacific graduates carry a median of $26,017 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from University Of The Pacific

25

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #25 spot for music this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 75 music degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $35,939 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for University Of Missouri Columbia