by our College Data Analytics TeamMusic is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 94 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best music schools.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
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.
No school ranked higher than University Of Houston this year for music. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 103 music degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $52,799 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full music details for University Of Houston
Texas Christian University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 36 music students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $60,035 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. See the full music program report for Texas Christian University
The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #3. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 158 music students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $33,937. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in music from The University Of Texas At Austin
Rice University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #4. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. Rice University awarded about 100 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $30,454. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Rice University
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 39 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $37,020 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,911 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for The University Of Texas At Arlington
Southern Methodist University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 56 music degrees 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. Typical student debt for the program is $18,417. See the full music program report for Southern Methodist University
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #7 spot for music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Edinburg. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 58 music degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Pan American in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from The University Of Texas Pan American earn around $56,373 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,920. Read more about the music program at The University Of Texas Pan American
Texas State University San Marcos placed #8 among the best music schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 91 music degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Music graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $39,318 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,241 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at Texas State University San Marcos
University Of North Texas landed the #9 spot for music this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 316 music degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent 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. More information about a degree in music from University Of North Texas
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #10 position for music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. About 53% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 63 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $47,010 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,570 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This large public university is located in the town of Nacogdoches. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 93 music students who graduated with this degree at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $48,405. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full music details for Stephen F Austin State University
Sam Houston State University placed #12 among the best music schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 73 music students who graduated with this degree at Sam Houston State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $59,926. Sam Houston State University graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Get the full music details for Sam Houston State University
Texas Womans University placed #13 among the best music schools. This large public university is located in the city of Denton. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 music students who graduated with this degree at Texas Womans University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $41,210 early in their careers. Texas Womans University graduates carry a median of $25,810 in student loans. Get the full music details for Texas Womans University
Lamar University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $26,407. Read more about the music program at Lamar University
Texas Tech University landed the #15 spot 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%. Texas Tech University awarded about 113 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $39,571 early in their careers. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $27,816 in student loans. See the full music program report for Texas Tech University
Austin Community College District earned the #16 position for music this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. About 13 music degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Music graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for Austin Community College District
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of El Paso. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. The University Of Texas At El Paso awarded about 38 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $56,062 in their early career. 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
The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #18 for music this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 12 music degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Tyler in the most recent year. Music graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $37,104 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from The University Of Texas At Tyler
West Texas A And M University placed #19 among the best music schools. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 26 music students who graduated with this degree at West Texas A And M University 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. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750. Get the full music details for West Texas A And M University
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 40 music degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent year. Music graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $52,282 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Commerce graduates carry a median of $27,101 in student loans. See the full music program report for Texas A And M University Commerce
Houston Baptist University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 14 music degrees were awarded at Houston Baptist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from Houston Baptist University earn around $57,088 in the first couple years of their career. Houston Baptist University graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Houston Baptist University
Lone Star College System earned the #22 position for music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of The Woodlands. About 23 music degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Lone Star College System
El Centro College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Dallas. El Centro College awarded about 23 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for El Centro College
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #24 among the best music schools. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University Kingsville awarded about 38 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $56,072 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Get the full music details for Texas A And M University Kingsville
Baylor University placed #25 among the best music schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Baylor University awarded about 56 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Baylor University earn around $10,210 in the first couple years of their career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full music details for Baylor University
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong music education:
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 · 94 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
