2026 Best Music Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Music master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1375 colleges 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 reviewed 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Duke University, our #1 Music school in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Duke University Music students take on a median of $13,296 in debt. Read more about Duke University
The strong Music programs at Dartmouth College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Read the full report on Dartmouth College
A rank of #3 makes Messiah College one of the top choices in the United States. Messiah College is a private not-for-profit school based in Mechanicsburg, PA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. The median Music program debt is $25,965. See the full Messiah College profile
The strong Music programs at Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. The median Music program debt is $17,921. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
The strong Music programs at Kansas State University earned it the #5 place in the United States. This public school is set in Manhattan, KS. About 71% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical Music student debt is $23,546. See the full Kansas State University profile
Brandeis University placed #6 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. The median Music program debt is $25,653. Get the full Brandeis University report
Michigan State University placed #7 among Music schools in the United States. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Michigan State University Music students take on a median of $26,750 in debt. Read the full report on Michigan State University
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #8 among Music schools in the United States. Set 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. More on North Dakota State University Main Campus
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. Set in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical Music student debt is $25,373. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Nebraska At Kearney did well this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Kearney, NE, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical Music student debt is $22,173. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Sam Houston State University placed #11 among Music schools in the United States. Based in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Sam Houston State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Sam Houston State University Music students take on a median of $28,000 in debt. Read more about Sam Houston State University
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical Music student debt is $12,800. More on University Of California Berkeley
The University Of Texas Pan American did well this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Edinburg, TX, The University Of Texas Pan American is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. The University Of Texas Pan American Music students take on a median of $20,920 in debt. Read more about The University Of Texas Pan American
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. This public school is set in Kingsville, TX. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. The median Music program debt is $31,000. See the full Texas A And M University Kingsville profile
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Colorado State University Fort Collins Music students take on a median of $26,837 in debt. More on Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,131 in student loans. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #17 among Music schools in the United States. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public school based in El Paso, TX. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. The median Music program debt is $14,612. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At El Paso
James Madison University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. The median Music program debt is $20,968. More on James Madison University
Rice University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Based 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. Get the full Rice University report
Eastern Illinois University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Set in Charleston, IL, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Graduates carry a median of $26,300 in student loans. Get the full Eastern Illinois University report
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #21 among Music schools in the United States. Located in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. See the full West Chester University Of Pennsylvania profile
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #22 among Music schools in the United States. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Oklahoma State University Main Campus Music students take on a median of $22,337 in debt. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
Texas Christian University placed #23 among Music schools in the United States. Located in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,740. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete their Music program here. Read more about Texas Christian University
Northwestern University did well this year, earning the #24 position. 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. Graduates carry a median of $18,166 in student loans. See the full Northwestern University profile
West Texas A And M University placed #25 among Music schools in the United States. This public school is set in Canyon, TX. West Texas A And M University graduates 48% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. West Texas A And M University Music students take on a median of $24,750 in debt. Get the full West Texas A And M University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Truman State University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Truman State University is a public school based in Kirksville, MO. Truman State University graduates 68% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. The median Music program debt is $23,168. See the full Truman State University profile
University Of Central Florida placed #27 among Music schools in the United States. Based in Orlando, FL, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical Music student debt is $20,567. Read more about University Of Central Florida
Texas A And M University Commerce did well this year, earning the #28 position. This public school is set in Commerce, TX. About 43% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Graduates carry a median of $27,101 in student loans. More on Texas A And M University Commerce
University Of Northern Iowa placed #29 among Music schools in the United States. University Of Northern Iowa is a public school based in Cedar Falls, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical Music student debt is $19,500. See the full University Of Northern Iowa profile
University Of Florida came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. University Of Florida Music students take on a median of $17,669 in debt. Read more about University Of Florida
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Located in Arlington, TX, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Arlington posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $24,911 to complete their Music program here. Get the full The University Of Texas At Arlington report
Texas Womans University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Set in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Texas Womans University Music students take on a median of $25,810 in debt. Get the full Texas Womans University report
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. This public school is set in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. 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
San Jose State University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. This public school is set in San Jose, CA. About 69% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Read the full report on San Jose State University
University Of South Dakota came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Located in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. The median Music program debt is $26,322. Read the full report on University Of South Dakota
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
New York University placed #37 among Music schools in the United States. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. New York University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. New York University Music students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Get the full New York University report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. The median Music program debt is $24,958. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Arkansas ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Music schools. Set in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. The median Music program debt is $27,000. More on University Of Arkansas
Texas Tech University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Texas Tech University Music students take on a median of $27,816 in debt. See the full Texas Tech University profile
Syracuse University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Located in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. The median Music program debt is $26,130. Read the full report on Syracuse University
University Of California Irvine came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. The median Music program debt is $16,539. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Music program here. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Delaware came in at #44 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Newark, DE. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,334 to complete their Music program here. See the full University Of Delaware profile
Miami University Oxford landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Based in Oxford, OH, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. The median Music program debt is $27,000. See the full Miami University Oxford profile
The University Of Tennessee came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,453 in student loans. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
University Of Wyoming landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. University Of Wyoming is a public school based in Laramie, WY. University Of Wyoming graduates 59% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete their Music program here. Read the full report on University Of Wyoming
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Set in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,678 in tuition and fees. Typical Music student debt is $22,077. Read the full report on Tulane University Of Louisiana
The University Of Montana landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. The University Of Montana graduates 49% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. The median Music program debt is $24,342. See the full The University Of Montana profile
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #50 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University Music students take on a median of $24,431 in debt. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
Related Music Rankings
See rankings for 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 Graduate Certificate 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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