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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Music Schools in Minnesota

3 Colleges in the United States
162 Music Degrees Awarded
$39,896 Avg Early-Career Salary

Music is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools to find the best for music students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Music in Minnesota

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

Top Schools in Music

1

No school ranked higher than University Of St Thomas Minnesota this year for music. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 19 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

2
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #2. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. St Olaf College graduates 84% of students within six years. About 27 music degrees were awarded at St Olaf College in the most recent year. Music graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $24,732 early in their careers. St Olaf College graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Read more about the music program at St Olaf College

3

A rank of #3 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. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 73 music degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $28,677. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

4

Students looking for a strong music program will find one at Gustavus Adolphus College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates 77% of students within six years. About 20 music degrees were awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $44,396 in their early career. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates carry a median of $26,197 in student loans. Get the full music details for Gustavus Adolphus College

5

Students looking for a strong music program will find one at University Of Minnesota Duluth, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth 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

6

Concordia College At Moorhead ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Concordia College At Moorhead awarded about 12 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $44,611 in their early career. Concordia College At Moorhead graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full music program report for Concordia College At Moorhead

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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 · 36 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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