by our College Data Analytics TeamMusic degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their music programs.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best music schools.
What’s on this page:
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.
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Washington State University this year for music. This very large public university is located in the town of Pullman. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Washington State University awarded about 21 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,697. Typical student debt for the program is $24,503. Get the full music details for Washington State University
A rank of #2 makes Central Washington University one of the top schools for music. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 71 music students who graduated with this degree at Central Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Central Washington University earn around $48,556 in the first couple years of their career. Central Washington University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full music details for Central Washington University
Students looking for a strong music program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 39 music degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Music graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Eastern Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #4. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 29 music degrees were awarded at Eastern Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $47,144 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,754. Get the full music details for Eastern Washington University
Western Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #5. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 music students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $15,834. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $20,055 in student loans. Read more about the music program at Western Washington University
University Of Puget Sound came in at #6 for music this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Tacoma. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Puget Sound in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $25,551 in their early career. University Of Puget Sound graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full music program report for University Of Puget Sound
Pacific Lutheran University placed #7 among the best music schools. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 14 music degrees were awarded at Pacific Lutheran University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from Pacific Lutheran University earn around $17,711 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,815. Get the full music details for Pacific Lutheran University
Shoreline Community College came in at #8 for music this year. Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Shoreline. About 73 music degrees were awarded at Shoreline Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $62,009 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,644. Get the full music details for Shoreline Community College
Seattle Film Institute came in at #9 for music this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. There were roughly 12 music students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Film Institute in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $24,237 in their early career. Seattle Film Institute graduates carry a median of $21,664 in student loans. Get the full music details for Seattle Film Institute
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 · 33 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
