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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Music Schools in District of Columbia

2 Colleges in the United States
60 Music Degrees Awarded
$41,176 Avg Early-Career Salary

Music degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their music programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Music in District of Columbia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music education in District of Columbia.

Top Schools in Music

1

Catholic University Of America tops our 2026 ranking of the best music schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 45 music degrees were awarded at Catholic University Of America in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $23,856 in their early career. Catholic University Of America graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. See the full music program report for Catholic University Of America

2
Howard University crest
Howard University
Washington, DC

Students looking for a strong music program will find one at Howard University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Howard University awarded about 15 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Howard University earn a median of $58,495 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,498. Get the full music details for Howard University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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