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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Music Schools in the Southwest Region

35 Colleges in the United States
2,400 Music Degrees Awarded
$41,371 Avg Early-Career Salary

Music programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 141 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 the Southwest Region

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.

Top Schools in Music

1

University Of Houston tops our 2026 ranking of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 103 music degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Houston earn around $52,799 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the music program at University Of Houston

2

Students looking for a strong music program will find one at Texas Christian University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. About 36 music degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from Texas Christian University earn around $60,035 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for Texas Christian University

3

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 158 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $33,937 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in music from The University Of Texas At Austin

4
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

A rank of #4 makes Rice University one of the top schools for music. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Rice University awarded about 100 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Rice University earn a median of $30,454 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904. See the full music program report for Rice University

5

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 48 music students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $50,993 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

6

The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 39 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $37,020 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,911. Read more about the music program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

7

Southern Methodist University landed the #7 spot for music this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 56 music students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $26,308 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $18,417 in student loans. Read more about the music program at Southern Methodist University

8

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #8 position for music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Edinburg. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 58 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $56,373 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,920. Get the full music details for The University Of Texas Pan American

9

Texas State University San Marcos placed #9 among the best music schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. About 91 music degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $39,318. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans. See the full music program report for Texas State University San Marcos

10

University Of North Texas came in at #10 for music this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 316 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $36,763. Typical student debt for the program is $24,456. See the full music program report for University Of North Texas

11

The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #11 position for music this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 63 music students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn around $47,010 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates carry a median of $24,570 in student loans. Get the full music details for The University Of Texas At San Antonio

12

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Stephen F Austin State University graduates 53% of students within six years. Stephen F Austin State University awarded about 93 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $48,405. Stephen F Austin State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full music program report for Stephen F Austin State University

13

University Of Arizona came in at #13 for music this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 72 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $30,157 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,800 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at University Of Arizona

14

Arizona State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 163 music students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $26,653 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,504 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at Arizona State University

15

Sam Houston State University landed the #15 spot for music this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Huntsville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 73 music degrees were awarded at Sam Houston State University in the most recent year. Music graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $59,926 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000. Get the full music details for Sam Houston State University

16

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 48 music degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Music graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $17,665 early in their careers. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $21,639 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

17

Texas Womans University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 38 music degrees were awarded at Texas Womans University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $41,210 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,810. See the full music program report for Texas Womans University

18

Northern Arizona University earned the #18 position for music this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. Northern Arizona University awarded about 28 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $47,056 in their early career. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Read more about the music program at Northern Arizona University

19
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University came in at #19 for music this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. About 22 music degrees were awarded at Lamar University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $42,328. Students borrow a median of $26,407 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Lamar University

20

Texas Tech University earned the #20 position for music this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 113 music degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $39,571 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,816 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at Texas Tech University

21

Austin Community College District earned the #21 position for music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Austin Community College District awarded about 13 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Austin Community College District earn around $44,895 in the first couple years of their career. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. See the full music program report for Austin Community College District

22

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #22 position for music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of El Paso. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At El Paso awarded about 38 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $56,062 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,612 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from The University Of Texas At El Paso

23

Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #23 for music this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chandler. About 11 music degrees were awarded at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent year. Music graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,447. Read more about the music program at Chandler Gilbert Community College

24

The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates 54% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Tyler awarded about 12 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from The University Of Texas At Tyler earn around $37,104 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,959. More information about a degree in music from The University Of Texas At Tyler

25

West Texas A And M University earned the #25 position for music this year. This large public university is located in the town of Canyon. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. West Texas A And M University awarded about 26 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $50,881 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from West Texas A And M University

Rest of the Top 47 Music Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong music education:

26
27
28
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
29
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
30
31
32
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX
33
34
35
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX
36
Oklahoma City University crest
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK
37
38
39
40
41
42
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX
43
Temple College crest
Temple College
Temple, TX
44
45
46
47

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 141 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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