Music degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 228 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music students pursuing a degree.
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Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in music. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Stanford University awarded about 30 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
See the full music program report for Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for music. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 43 music degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in music from San Jose State University
University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 36 music degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $45,488 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,501 to complete this degree.
See the full music program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
Sonoma State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 music students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $51,140 early in their careers. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $18,031 in student loans.
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University Of The Pacific came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. About 15 music degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $77,022 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,017.
More information about a degree in music from University Of The Pacific
University Of California Davis came in at #6 for music this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 music degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $24,630 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
Read more about the music program at University Of California Davis
University Of California Irvine earned the #7 position for music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 24 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $50,958 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,539.
Get the full music details for University Of California Irvine
Concordia University Irvine landed the #8 spot for music this year. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 13 music students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Concordia University Irvine earn a median of $58,590 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,085.
See the full music program report for Concordia University Irvine
Occidental College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 16 music degrees were awarded at Occidental College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Occidental College generally make around $41,514. Students borrow a median of $22,967 to complete this degree.
Get the full music details for Occidental College
California State University East Bay earned the #10 position for music this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 music students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $58,951 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,073.
See the full music program report for California State University East Bay
California State University Northridge ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Northridge awarded about 150 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $28,106. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $15,933 in student loans.
See the full music program report for California State University Northridge
University Of California Los Angeles placed #12 among the best music schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 119 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $18,823 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $23,119 in student loans.
See the full music program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Washington State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Pullman. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 music students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Washington State University earn around $54,697 in the first couple years of their career. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $24,503 in student loans.
Read more about the music program at Washington State University
Oregon State University landed the #14 spot for music this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 music students who graduated with this degree at Oregon State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $29,630. Typical student debt for the program is $19,184.
See the full music program report for Oregon State University
University Of Southern California landed the #15 spot for music this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 207 music degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Music graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $23,244 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans.
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Central Washington University earned the #16 position for music this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Ellensburg. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Central Washington University awarded about 71 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $48,556. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music from Central Washington University
San Diego State University placed #17 among the best music schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. San Diego State University awarded about 79 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from San Diego State University earn around $20,440 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,131 in student loans.
See the full music program report for San Diego State University
University Of California San Diego ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 30 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $21,592 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $18,938 in student loans.
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California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #19 position for music this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 42 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $20,887. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music from California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Chapman University came in at #20 for music this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Chapman University awarded about 26 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $14,538. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full music program report for Chapman University
California State University Sacramento earned the #21 position for music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 music students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Music graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $25,391 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
Read more about the music program at California State University Sacramento
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #22 among the best music schools. This large public university is located in the city of Carson. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates 43% of students within six years. About 12 music degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. Music graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music program at California State University Dominguez Hills
California State University Fullerton landed the #23 spot for music this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 96 music students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $23,969 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,469 to complete this degree.
See the full music program report for California State University Fullerton
Azusa Pacific University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. Azusa Pacific University awarded about 51 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $37,001 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
More information about a degree in music from Azusa Pacific University
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #25 for music this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 13 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Music Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music ranking:
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 · 228 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).
