2026 Best Music Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Leading the list is University Of St Thomas Minnesota, our #1 school for music. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. About 19 music degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Music graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923. Read more about the music program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota

2

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

Students looking for a strong music program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 75 music degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $35,939 in their early career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full music program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

3

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

A rank of #3 makes St Olaf College one of the top schools for music. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 music students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from St Olaf College earn around $24,732 in the first couple years of their career. St Olaf College graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from St Olaf College

4

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

A rank of #4 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the top schools for music. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 73 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $28,677 early in their careers. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full music program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

5

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 music degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Music graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Drake University graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Drake University

6

Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, MN

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #6 for music this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 20 music degrees were awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent year. Music graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $44,396 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,197 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at Gustavus Adolphus College

7

University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #7 spot for music this year. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 19 music degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $46,744 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for University Of Nebraska At Kearney

8

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #8 among the best music schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 51 music degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $48,098 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,373 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

9

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University placed #9 among the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 26 music degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $51,543 in their early career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Get the full music details for Kansas State University

10

Luther College
Decorah, IA

Luther College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. Luther College graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 music students who graduated with this degree at Luther College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $45,367. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for Luther College

11

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa placed #11 among the best music schools. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 26 music degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Music graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $32,175 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full music program report for University Of Northern Iowa

12

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #12 for music this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 music degrees were awarded at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn around $54,076 in the first couple years of their career. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Get the full music details for North Dakota State University Main Campus

13

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #13 spot for music this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 114 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $32,144 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from University Of Missouri Kansas City

14

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University earned the #14 position for music this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Truman State University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 23 music degrees were awarded at Truman State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $39,764 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,168. See the full music program report for Truman State University

15

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This large public university is located in the city of Duluth. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 11 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Minnesota Duluth earn around $31,780 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,427 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from University Of Minnesota Duluth

16

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #16 spot for music this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Kansas awarded about 70 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $31,244 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from University Of Kansas

17

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This large public university is located in the town of Vermillion. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Dakota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $46,183 in their early career. University Of South Dakota graduates carry a median of $26,322 in student loans. Read more about the music program at University Of South Dakota

18

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield placed #18 among the best music schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 music students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $46,503 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,408. Get the full music details for Missouri State University Springfield

19

Concordia College At Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Concordia College At Moorhead landed the #19 spot for music this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit university. Concordia College At Moorhead graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 music students who graduated with this degree at Concordia College At Moorhead in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Concordia College At Moorhead earn a median of $44,611 early in their careers. Concordia College At Moorhead graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full music details for Concordia College At Moorhead

20

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #20 position for music this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. About 57% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri St Louis awarded about 14 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $35,835 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,943. Get the full music details for University Of Missouri St Louis

21

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #21 for music this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Iowa awarded about 94 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $41,656 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,783 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for University Of Iowa

22

Emporia State University
Emporia, KS

Emporia State University came in at #22 for music this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 16 music degrees were awarded at Emporia State University in the most recent year. Music graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $46,440 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Emporia State University

23

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This large public university is located in the town of Warrensburg. University Of Central Missouri graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Central Missouri earn around $30,321 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,750. More information about a degree in music from University Of Central Missouri

24

Evangel University
Springfield, MO

Evangel University placed #24 among the best music schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Evangel University awarded about 12 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $42,039. Typical student debt for the program is $24,876. More information about a degree in music from Evangel University

25

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University earned the #25 position for music this year. This large public university is located in the city of Wichita. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 music students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $49,278 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,262. Read more about the music program at Wichita State University