Best Colleges for Music 2026
20 schools ranked by graduate earnings, real data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Top 20 Music Programs by Graduate Earnings
| # | School | Earnings | Tuition | Accept Rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | $57,343 | $39,330 | 19% | 20,556 |
| 2 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX | $56,0621yr | $25,512 | 100% | 20,547 |
| 3 | University of Houston Houston, TX | $55,639 | $22,191 | 70% | 37,175 |
| 4 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TX | $55,090 | $19,939 | 85% | 27,026 |
| 5 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville Kingsville, TX | $53,695 | $26,106 | 92% | 4,622 |
| 6 | Biola University La Mirada, CA | $50,875 | $46,704 | 60% | 3,390 |
| 7 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX | $50,800 | $21,965 | 88% | 29,675 |
| 8 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJ | $50,331 | $25,564 | 78% | 14,647 |
| 9 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, CA | $50,200 | $19,319 | 74% | 24,271 |
| 10 | East Texas A&M University Commerce, TX | $49,536 | $22,626 | 93% | 8,249 |
| 11 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX | $49,232 | $10,996 | 97% | 6,771 |
| 12 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | $48,986 | $42,778 | 29% | 42,100 |
| 13 | Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX | $48,515 | $20,680 | 88% | 8,746 |
| 14 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA | $47,904 | $59,900 | 76% | 1,631 |
| 15 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL | $47,898 | $15,879 | 68% | 4,398 |
| 16 | Lamar University Beaumont, TX | $47,769 | $18,482 | 86% | 7,945 |
| 17 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX | $47,358 | $29,660 | 81% | 30,834 |
| 18 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA | $46,916 | $39,397 | 89% | 27,083 |
| 19 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA | $46,899 | $30,790 | 76% | 20,497 |
| 20 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX | $46,692 | $21,033 | 89% | 7,804 |
Music is a field of study that develops specialized knowledge and skills applicable across a range of professional settings. Undergraduate programs typically combine foundational coursework with applied projects, laboratory work, or research experiences designed to prepare graduates for entry-level careers or advanced study.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers across multiple industries. Career paths and earning potential vary depending on the specific concentration, graduate degree attainment, and employer. The rankings below are based on actual graduate earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks median earnings for graduates of each school-major combination.
When evaluating Music programs, consider accreditation status, research and internship opportunities, faculty expertise, and the school's alumni network in your target career field. The earnings data on this page provides an objective, evidence-based signal to help you compare programs by real-world financial outcomes.
Earnings shown are median graduate earnings 4 years after graduation (or 1 year if 4-year data is unavailable), sourced from the College Scorecard.See full major data
Explore All Music Programs
See earnings data for all 240 schools offering Music, including debt figures and graduate counts.
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Compare SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a Music program?
Look for programs with relevant accreditation, strong research or internship opportunities, experienced faculty with industry connections, and alumni networks in the careers you want to pursue. Hands-on learning experiences and career placement rates are also important indicators of program quality.
What careers can I pursue with a Music degree?
A Music degree prepares graduates for a range of careers depending on the specific concentration and any graduate study pursued. Review the program's placement data and alumni outcomes to understand where graduates from a specific school tend to land after graduation.
How much do Music graduates earn?
Earnings for Music graduates vary by school, specialization, and career path. The rankings on this page reflect verified median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, giving you a school-level view of real financial outcomes for this major.