2026 Best Music Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Music graduate certificate degree 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Music Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Messiah College to be the best Music school in the United States. Messiah College is a private not-for-profit school based in Mechanicsburg, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Students borrow a median of $25,965 to complete their Music program here. More on Messiah College
A rank of #2 makes Michigan State University one of the top choices 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, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete their Music program here. See the full Michigan State University profile
Out of the 1375 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median Music program debt is $26,000. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
Out of the 1375 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Texas Christian University landed the #4 spot. Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Worth, TX. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete their Music program here. Get the full Texas Christian University report
Out of the 1375 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #5 spot. Based in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Read the full report on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #6 among Music schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical Music student debt is $27,816. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Set in Arlington, TX, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical Music student debt is $24,911. More on The University Of Texas At Arlington
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University Music students take on a median of $24,431 in debt. Read the full report on Carnegie Mellon University
The University Of Tennessee came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. The median Music program debt is $23,453. Get the full The University Of Tennessee report
New York University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. Typical Music student debt is $25,000. Get the full New York University report
University Of Connecticut ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. Set in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. The median Music program debt is $25,000. Read the full report on University Of Connecticut
Western Illinois University placed #13 among Music schools in the United States. Western Illinois University is a public school based in Macomb, IL. Western Illinois University posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Western Illinois University
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a public school based in San Marcos, TX. Texas State University San Marcos posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. The median Music program debt is $26,241. Read more about Texas State University San Marcos
University Of Central Arkansas landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Based in Conway, AR, University Of Central Arkansas is a public institution. University Of Central Arkansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. The median Music program debt is $29,139. See the full University Of Central Arkansas profile
University Of Kentucky ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. Set in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Kentucky
Montclair State University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. The median Music program debt is $27,000. Read more about Montclair State University
Southern Methodist University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Students borrow a median of $18,417 to complete their Music program here. Read more about Southern Methodist University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $19,397 in student loans. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #20 in this year's ranking. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, SC. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full University Of South Carolina Columbia report
Ball State University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Read more about Ball State University
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #22 among Music schools in the United States. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Music program here. Read more about University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Southern California placed #24 among Music schools in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical Music student debt is $20,976. Read more about University Of Southern California
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #25 among Music schools in the United States. Set in Las Vegas, NV, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. University Of Nevada Las Vegas Music students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. Read more about University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Rest of the Top 50 Best Music Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Boston University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. Graduates carry a median of $26,957 in student loans. Read the full report on Boston University
University Of Redlands did well this year, earning the #27 position. University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit school based in Redlands, CA. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,878. The median Music program debt is $27,000. Read more about University Of Redlands
Johns Hopkins University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. The median Music program debt is $23,250. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Winston Salem, NC, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a public institution. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts graduates 78% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,477, with out-of-state students paying around $27,211. Graduates carry a median of $23,143 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Athens, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Music program here. Get the full Ohio University Main Campus report
Northern Illinois University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Located in Dekalb, IL, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Northern Illinois University Music students take on a median of $29,000 in debt. More on Northern Illinois University
Duquesne University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,986. Typical Music student debt is $27,000. See the full Duquesne University profile
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Located in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Indiana University Bloomington Music students take on a median of $20,769 in debt. More on Indiana University Bloomington
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Located in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical Music student debt is $24,408. See the full Missouri State University Springfield profile
Indiana University South Bend did well this year, earning the #35 position. Based in South Bend, IN, Indiana University South Bend is a public institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical Music student debt is $24,640. Read the full report on Indiana University South Bend
Yale University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical Music student debt is $14,357. More on Yale University
Oberlin College placed #37 among Music schools in the United States. Set in Oberlin, OH, Oberlin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Oberlin College posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,366. Students borrow a median of $26,200 to complete their Music program here. Get the full Oberlin College report
Longy School Of Music Of Bard College did well this year, earning the #38 position. Set in Cambridge, MA, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,275. Read the full report on Longy School Of Music Of Bard College
University Of North Texas came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Based in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. University Of North Texas posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. The median Music program debt is $24,456. Read the full report on University Of North Texas
Roosevelt University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Set in Chicago, IL, Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Roosevelt University Music students take on a median of $27,750 in debt. Read the full report on Roosevelt University
Liberty University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lynchburg, VA. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. The median Music program debt is $27,000. Read more about Liberty University
Georgia State University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Set in Atlanta, GA, Georgia State University is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical Music student debt is $26,000. Read more about Georgia State University
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Located in Kansas City, MO, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. The median Music program debt is $23,089. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Kansas City
University Of Denver did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. The median Music program debt is $24,250. Get the full University Of Denver report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Based in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Music students take on a median of $25,750 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Northern Arizona University came in at #46 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Flagstaff, AZ. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical Music student debt is $21,645. More on Northern Arizona University
University Of Utah did well this year, earning the #47 position. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. University Of Utah Music students take on a median of $16,500 in debt. See the full University Of Utah profile
University Of Miami landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Set in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. University Of Miami Music students take on a median of $13,998 in debt. See the full University Of Miami profile
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. Set in Edwardsville, IL, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. The median Music program debt is $23,500. More on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Bowling Green State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. The median Music program debt is $27,000. Get the full Bowling Green State University Main Campus report
Related Music Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Music Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Music Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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