2026 Best Music Schools in North Carolina

1

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2026 ranking of the best music schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $32,880. 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

2

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the top schools for music. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 27 music degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Music graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $38,831 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,858 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

3

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 45 music students who graduated with this degree at Western Carolina University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $26,135 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the music program at Western Carolina University

4

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 37 music degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $26,222 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for East Carolina University

5

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 92 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $24,315. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full music program report for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

6

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
Winston Salem, NC

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts placed #6 among the best music schools. Set in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public institution. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts graduates 78% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts awarded about 46 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn around $19,939 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,143 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts

7

University Of North Carolina At Asheville
Asheville, NC

University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #7 among the best music schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Asheville. University Of North Carolina At Asheville graduates 54% of students within six years. About 21 music degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Asheville in the most recent year. Music graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $31,821 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,108 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for University Of North Carolina At Asheville