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2024 Best Music Schools in the Southeast Region

118 Colleges in the Southeast Region
5,336 Music Degrees Awarded
$25,836 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on majoring in music, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #43 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual reviewed 118 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of music. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 5,336 degrees in music during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Music School

Best Music Schools in the Southeast Region Your choice of music school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for music schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Music Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Music
Bachelor's Degrees in Music
Master's Degrees in Music
Doctor's Degrees in Music

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Music Schools in the Southeast Region list to help you make the college decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Music in the Southeast Region

The schools below may not offer all types of music degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

17 Top Southeast Region Schools in Music

1
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In GA

Every student who is interested in music needs to check out Emory University. Located in the large city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.

There were about 22 music students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music from Emory University

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
44 Music Degrees Awarded
$26,788 Median Starting Salary

Vanderbilt University is a good option for students interested in a degree in music. Vanderbilt is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Nashville. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were approximately 44 music students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the music program report average early career income of $26,788.

More information about a degree in music from Vanderbilt University

3
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In NC

Every student pursuing a degree in music needs to look into Duke University. Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were roughly 13 music students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music from Duke University

4
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
192 Music Degrees Awarded
22.9% Growth in Graduates

Every student who is interested in music needs to check out University of Miami. Located in the city of Coral Gables, U Miami is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #91 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means U Miami is a great university overall.

There were about 192 music students who graduated with this degree at U Miami in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the music program earn an average of $23,323 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in music from University of Miami

5
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
171 Music Degrees Awarded
$28,482 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #121 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Florida State is a great university overall.

There were about 171 music students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent year we have data available. Those music students who get their degree from Florida State University receive $2,646 more than the standard music grad.

More information about a degree in music from Florida State University

6
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
62 Music Degrees Awarded
$34,002 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were about 62 music students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available. Music degree recipients from University of Florida get an earnings boost of around $8,166 above the average income of music majors.

More information about a degree in music from University of Florida

7
Belmont crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
112 Music Degrees Awarded
$21,437 Median Starting Salary

Belmont is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Nashville. This university ranks 3rd out of 45 schools for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were about 112 music students who graduated with this degree at Belmont in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the music program state that they receive average early career earnings of $21,437.

More information about a degree in music from Belmont University

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
105 Music Degrees Awarded
$33,928 Median Starting Salary

UofSC is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Columbia. This university ranks 2nd out of 44 colleges for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were roughly 105 music students who graduated with this degree at UofSC in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the music program at University of South Carolina - Columbia get $8,093 above the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in music from University of South Carolina - Columbia

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In VA
46 Music Degrees Awarded

University of Virginia is a very large public university located in the small suburb of Charlottesville. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were about 46 music students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music from University of Virginia - Main Campus

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
71 Music Degrees Awarded
$31,102 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were about 71 music students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent data year. Music degree recipients from University of Georgia get an earnings boost of around $5,266 above the typical income of music majors.

More information about a degree in music from University of Georgia

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
50 Music Degrees Awarded
$25,813 Median Starting Salary

UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public university located in the city of Chapel Hill. A Best Colleges rank of #43 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were approximately 50 music students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients typically earn an average of $25,813 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in music from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In LA
56.0% Growth in Graduates

Tulane is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New Orleans. A Best Colleges rank of #78 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Tulane is a great university overall.

There were approximately 25 music students who graduated with this degree at Tulane in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in music from Tulane University of Louisiana

13
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
77 Music Degrees Awarded
$32,499 Median Starting Salary

JMU is a very large public university located in the city of Harrisonburg. This university ranks 6th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were roughly 77 music students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent year we have data available. Music degree recipients from James Madison University get an earnings boost of about $6,663 over the average earnings of music majors.

More information about a degree in music from James Madison University

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
60 Music Degrees Awarded
$41,899 Median Starting Salary

UK is a fairly large public university located in the city of Lexington. This university ranks 1st out of 38 schools for overall quality in the state of Kentucky.

There were approximately 60 music students who graduated with this degree at UK in the most recent data year. Music degree recipients from University of Kentucky earn a boost of about $16,063 over the typical income of music majors.

More information about a degree in music from University of Kentucky

15
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In VA
15.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public school with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #62 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Virginia Tech is a great school overall.

There were roughly 19 music students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in music from Virginia Tech

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
66 Music Degrees Awarded
$31,581 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Knoxville, UT Knoxville is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 45 colleges for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were about 66 music students who graduated with this degree at UT Knoxville in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the music degree program at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville get $5,745 more than the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in music from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

17
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
46 Music Degrees Awarded
$36,386 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Fayetteville, UARK is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 34 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arkansas.

There were about 46 music students who graduated with this degree at UARK in the most recent year we have data available. Those music students who get their degree from University of Arkansas receive $10,550 more than the average music graduate.

More information about a degree in music from University of Arkansas

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Music students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Best Music Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
18 Valencia College Orlando, FL
19 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
20 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
21 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
22 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
23 University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, NC
24 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
25 George Mason University Fairfax, VA

Best Music Colleges by State

Explore the best music colleges for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 453
Florida 282 1,204
North Carolina 279 488
Virginia 274 629
Tennessee 269 803
South Carolina 248 203
Kentucky 244 278
Louisiana 242 315
Mississippi 234 181
Arkansas 234 175
Alabama 233 276
West Virginia 207 93

View All Rankings >

Music is one of 10 different types of Visual & Performing Arts programs to choose from.

Music Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Music 2,343
Music Performance 1,607
Music Technology 613
Other Music 297
Jazz Studies 86
Music Pedagogy 86
Music Theory & Composition 72
Voice Performance 64
Musicology & Ethnomusicology 50
Music History 46

View All Music Focus Areas >

Majors Similar to Music

Related Major Annual Graduates
Design & Applied Arts 8,508
Fine & Studio Arts 6,169
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 3,640
Drama & Theater Arts 3,321
General Visual & Performing Arts 1,954
Arts & Media Management 1,933
Dance 569
Other Visual Art 199
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry 51

View All Music Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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