Music 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 1375 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music students pursuing a degree.
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Leading the list is Dartmouth College, our #1 school for music. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 15 music students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $81,992 in their early career. Dartmouth College graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans.
Read more about the music program at Dartmouth College
A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the top schools for music. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 music students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
See the full music program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $65,183 in their early career. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans.
See the full music program report for University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Case Western Reserve University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #4. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 music degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Case Western Reserve University graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans.
Read more about the music program at Case Western Reserve University
Students looking for a strong music program will find one at Northwestern University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 82 music degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Music graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $34,823 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,166 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music program at Northwestern University
Vanderbilt University earned the #6 position for music this year. 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. Graduates of the music program make about $77,997 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
Get the full music details for Vanderbilt University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #7 for music this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 33 music degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $32,880 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
Read more about the music program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
San Jose State University landed the #8 spot for music this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 35 music degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Read more about the music program at San Jose State University
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. About 22 music degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $45,488 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,501.
Get the full music details for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Utah landed the #10 spot for music this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Utah in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Utah earn around $42,548 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Utah graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
Read more about the music program at University Of Utah
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #11 position for music this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 40 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their 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 music program at University Of Maryland College Park
The College Of New Jersey earned the #12 position for music this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Graduates of the music program make about $56,617 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,429 to complete this degree.
See the full music program report for The College Of New Jersey
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 20 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Typical student debt for the program is $18,131.
Get the full music details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
James Madison University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 85 music degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $36,106. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $20,968 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music from James Madison University
Brown University came in at #15 for music this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Brown University awarded about 15 music degrees 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
University Of Florida placed #16 among the best music schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. About 44 music degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Florida earn around $22,559 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669.
See the full music program report for University Of Florida
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best music schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 music students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year.
See the full music program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #18 among the best music schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 82 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $39,564 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 music from The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Houston landed the #19 spot for music this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston awarded about 65 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $52,799. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full music program report for University Of Houston
Illinois State University earned the #20 position for music this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 34 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $32,853 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full music program report for Illinois State University
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #21 spot for music this year. 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 20 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $38,029 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,250.
Get the full music details for University Of Mississippi Main Campus
Rice University placed #22 among the best music schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 music students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Rice University earn a median of $30,454 early in their careers. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans.
See the full music program report for Rice University
Sonoma State University earned the #23 position for music this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 music degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $51,140 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,031.
More information about a degree in music from Sonoma State University
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Music graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $35,939 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the music program at University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $65,681 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481.
Get the full music details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong music education:
The ranking above is published 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 · 1375 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
