Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Most Popular Music Schools in Illinois

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Music Schools in Illinois

66 Colleges
$26,572 Avg Salary
$23,882 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Music School for You

Music is the #33 most popular major in Illinois with 1,129 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Music Schools in Illinois ranking. Our analysis looked at 66 schools in Illinois to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Music program at each school on the list.

Check out the music programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in Illinois.

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Our 2023 rankings named Northwestern University the most popular school in Illinois for music students. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, music majors at Northwestern accumulate an average of around $17,825 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $431.

Full Music at Northwestern University Report

Out of the 66 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that music majors at UIUC take out is $22,484. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $613.

Read full report on Music at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#3

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Roosevelt University is a great place for music students. Located in the large city of Chicago, Roosevelt is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, music graduates from Roosevelt take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Music at Roosevelt University

#4

DePaul University

Chicago, IL

Out of the 66 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, DePaul University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, music graduates from DePaul carry an average student debt load of $21,607. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $685, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Music at DePaul University Report

The excellent programs at Illinois State University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best music schools in Illinois. Illinois State is a very large public school located in the midsize suburb of Normal.

The average amount in student loans that music majors at Illinois State take out is $22,000.

Read full report on Music at Illinois State University

Columbia College Chicago came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Music Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

After completing their degree, music graduates from Columbia carry an average student debt load of $27,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $541.

Read full report on Music at Columbia College Chicago

Northern Illinois University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Music Schools in Illinois list. NIU is a large public school located in the small suburb of Dekalb.

On average, music graduates from NIU take out $23,220 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Music at Northern Illinois University

With a ranking of #8, Western Illinois University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for music students. Located in the town of Macomb, WIU is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, music majors at WIU accumulate an average of around $30,017 in student debt.

Full Music at Western Illinois University Report

Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for music students. It came in at #9 on the list. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Wheaton.

After completing their degree, music graduates from Wheaton College Illinois carry an average student debt load of $25,125.

Read full report on Music at Wheaton College Illinois

#10

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL

With a ranking of #10, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for music students. Located in the town of Charleston, EIU is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, music majors at EIU accumulate an average of around $28,535 in student debt.

Read full report on Music at Eastern Illinois University

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Music students in the state of Illinois that almost earned our Most Popular Music Schools in Illinois award.

Rank College Location
12 Millikin University Decatur, IL
13 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL

Best Music Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Most Popular Music Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 734
Ohio 1,138
Indiana 660
Wisconsin 359

One of 10 majors within the area of study, music has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts 37,413
Design & Applied Arts 36,301
Drama & Theater Arts 17,341
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 16,778
General Visual & Performing Arts 6,355

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.