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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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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.
Leading the list is University Of Georgia, our #1 school for music. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 80 music degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Georgia earn around $24,514 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,344. Get the full music details for University Of Georgia
Georgia State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 53% of students finish within six years. Georgia State University awarded about 67 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Georgia State University earn around $29,304 in the first couple years of their career. Georgia State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Georgia State University
Students looking for a strong music program will find one at Kennesaw State University, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kennesaw. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 music students who graduated with this degree at Kennesaw State University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. Kennesaw State University graduates carry a median of $23,400 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Kennesaw State University
A rank of #4 makes University Of West Georgia one of the top schools for music. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 36 music degrees were awarded at University Of West Georgia in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $46,432 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,789. Read more about the music program at University Of West Georgia
Columbus State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #5. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Columbus State University graduates 43% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 music students who graduated with this degree at Columbus State University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. Columbus State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Columbus State University
Valdosta State University landed the #6 spot for music this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. About 31 music degrees were awarded at Valdosta State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $44,914 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Valdosta State University
American Intercontinental University Atlanta placed #7 among the best music schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 9% of students finish within six years. About 10 music degrees were awarded at American Intercontinental University Atlanta in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from American Intercontinental University Atlanta generally make around $22,690. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from American Intercontinental University Atlanta
Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media came in at #8 for music this year. Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Duluth. Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media awarded about 49 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media earn a median of $20,098 early in their careers. Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media graduates carry a median of $16,507 in student loans. Read more about the music program at Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
