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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Music Schools in Virginia

11 Colleges in the United States
573 Music Degrees Awarded
$46,663 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best music schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Music in Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music education in Virginia.

Top Schools in Music

1

University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in music. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 30 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,131 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

Students looking for a strong music program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 93 music students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $36,106 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,968 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for James Madison University

3

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 music students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

4

Students looking for a strong music program will find one at George Mason University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 57 music degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $34,841 in their early career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $24,048 in student loans. See the full music program report for George Mason University

5

A rank of #5 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the top schools for music. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 40 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $28,989 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the music program at Virginia Commonwealth University

6

Old Dominion University landed the #6 spot for music this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 music students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for Old Dominion University

7
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University landed the #7 spot for music this year. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 22 music degrees were awarded at Radford University in the most recent year. Music graduates of Radford University earn a median of $39,593 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full music details for Radford University

8
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 193 music degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Music graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $33,956 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full music details for Liberty University

9

Tidewater Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 10 music students who graduated with this degree at Tidewater Community College in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $35,627 early in their careers. Tidewater Community College graduates carry a median of $14,001 in student loans. Read more about the music program at Tidewater Community College

10
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University came in at #10 for music this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winchester. About 66% of students finish within six years. Shenandoah University awarded about 80 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $62,948 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. More information about a degree in music from Shenandoah University

11

Norfolk State University landed the #11 spot for music this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. Norfolk State University awarded about 22 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. See the full music program report for Norfolk State University

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Notes and References

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 · 38 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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