2026 Best Music Schools
Looking for the best Music programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1375 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Music Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is University Of Notre Dame, our #1 Music school in the United States. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Graduates carry a median of $19,891 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
Duke University came in at #2 on this year's Music ranking in the United States. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Music program here. More on Duke University
Lafayette College came in at #3 on this year's Music ranking in the United States. Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit school based in Easton, PA. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,648. Typical Music student debt is $16,931. Read more about Lafayette College
Out of the 1375 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
A rank of #5 makes College Of The Holy Cross one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Worcester, MA. College Of The Holy Cross posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,500. Graduates carry a median of $26,387 in student loans. Read more about College Of The Holy Cross
Emory University placed #6 among Music schools in the United States. Set in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete their Music program here. Get the full Emory University report
Dartmouth College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hanover, NH. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete their Music program here. Read the full report on Dartmouth College
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #8 among Music schools in the United States. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete their Music program here. See the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo profile
Messiah College landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Based in Mechanicsburg, PA, Messiah College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Students borrow a median of $25,965 to complete their Music program here. Read more about Messiah College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Music students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Brandeis University placed #11 among Music schools in the United States. Based in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brandeis University graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. The median Music program debt is $25,653. Read more about Brandeis University
Winona State University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Winona State University is a public school based in Winona, MN. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete their Music program here. Read the full report on Winona State University
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bethlehem, PA. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary graduates 72% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,500. Graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Read the full report on Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
Luther College did well this year, earning the #14 position. Luther College is a private not-for-profit school based in Decorah, IA. About 71% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Luther College Music students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on Luther College
Michigan State University placed #15 among Music schools in the United States. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical Music student debt is $26,750. Read the full report on Michigan State University
Kansas State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. About 71% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical Music student debt is $23,546. Read more about Kansas State University
Northwestern University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical Music student debt is $18,166. See the full Northwestern University profile
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #18 among Music schools in the United States. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. North Dakota State University Main Campus Music students take on a median of $25,153 in debt. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
Texas A And M University Kingsville did well this year, earning the #19 position. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public school based in Kingsville, TX. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. The median Music program debt is $31,000. More on Texas A And M University Kingsville
University Of California Berkeley placed #20 among Music schools in the United States. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. The median Music program debt is $12,800. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #21 among Music schools in the United States. Located in Edinburg, TX, The University Of Texas Pan American is a public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,920 in student loans. Read more about The University Of Texas Pan American
Concordia College At Moorhead landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Concordia College At Moorhead is a private not-for-profit school based in Moorhead, MN. About 61% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,170. Typical Music student debt is $27,000. More on Concordia College At Moorhead
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
Drake University placed #24 among Music schools in the United States. Based in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,960. Drake University Music students take on a median of $22,273 in debt. See the full Drake University profile
The College Of New Jersey ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. This public school is set in Ewing, NJ. The College Of New Jersey posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. The median Music program debt is $24,429. Read the full report on The College Of New Jersey
Rest of the Top 50 Best Music Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
St Marys College Of Maryland landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in St. Mary's City, MD, St Marys College Of Maryland is a public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,298, while out-of-state students pay about $31,374. Typical Music student debt is $22,655. Get the full St Marys College Of Maryland report
Valencia College did well this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Orlando, FL, Valencia College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Students borrow a median of $10,575 to complete their Music program here. Get the full Valencia College report
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical Music student debt is $18,131. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
James Madison University placed #29 among Music schools in the United States. Based in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Graduates carry a median of $20,968 in student loans. More on James Madison University
Skidmore College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. Located in Saratoga Springs, NY, Skidmore College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,140. Students borrow a median of $18,274 to complete their Music program here. Read more about Skidmore College
Williams College came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Williams College is a private not-for-profit school based in Williamstown, MA. Williams College posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Students borrow a median of $12,615 to complete their Music program here. Read more about Williams College
Vanderbilt University landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More on Vanderbilt University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #33 in this year's ranking. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in West Chester, PA. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Read more about West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
The University Of Texas At El Paso did well this year, earning the #34 position. Based in El Paso, TX, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $14,612 to complete their Music program here. More on The University Of Texas At El Paso
Boston College came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Located in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. The median Music program debt is $18,101. More on Boston College
Washington University In St Louis came in at #36 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. The median Music program debt is $17,553. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Based in Whitewater, WI, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Music program here. More on University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Kearney, NE, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. University Of Nebraska At Kearney posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical Music student debt is $22,173. Read more about University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
University Of Tulsa did well this year, earning the #40 position. Located in Tulsa, OK, University Of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,546. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Music program here. See the full University Of Tulsa profile
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. Set in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. The median Music program debt is $22,337. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
Rice University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. Set in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. The median Music program debt is $11,904. See the full Rice University profile
University Of Houston placed #43 among Music schools in the United States. This public school is set in Houston, TX. About 65% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Music program here. Read the full report on University Of Houston
West Texas A And M University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Set in Canyon, TX, West Texas A And M University is a public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,101, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. The median Music program debt is $24,750. Read more about West Texas A And M University
Texas Tech University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Texas Tech University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Texas Tech University Music students take on a median of $27,816 in debt. Get the full Texas Tech University report
Hamline University came in at #46 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,004. Graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. Read more about Hamline University
Depauw University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Set in Greencastle, IN, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,070. The median Music program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Depauw University
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #48 position. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. The median Music program debt is $21,813. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
Truman State University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Based in Kirksville, MO, Truman State University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. See the full Truman State University profile
Sam Houston State University landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Sam Houston State University is a public school based in Huntsville, TX. Sam Houston State University graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete their Music program here. Get the full Sam Houston State University report
Best Music Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Music Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Music Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Music Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Music Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Music Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Music Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1375 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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