Music Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 132 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best music education schools.
The music education program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Music Education rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Music Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Music Education in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the music education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Maryland College Park the best school in the country for a degree in music education. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 10 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $57,901 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836.
Read more about the music education program at University Of Maryland College Park
Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $51,105 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
Read more about the music education program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 10 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $61,604 in their early career. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
See the full music education program report for Cuny Hunter College
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Cuny Brooklyn College awarded about 14 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $61,164 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,178 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music education from Cuny Brooklyn College
Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at University Of Delaware, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $49,041 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,298.
Read more about the music education program at University Of Delaware
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for music education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 26 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $66,254 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music education from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Texas Christian University placed #7 among the best music education schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 music education students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $57,665 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree.
See the full music education program report for Texas Christian University
Boston University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 70 music education degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Music Education graduates of Boston University earn a median of $67,277 early in their careers. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans.
Get the full music education details for Boston University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 20 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $55,193 in their early career. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Get the full music education details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Cuny Queens College placed #10 among the best music education schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 music education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Queens College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $67,212. Cuny Queens College graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans.
Get the full music education details for Cuny Queens College
Florida State University earned the #11 position for music education this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 63 music education students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $54,079 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music education program at Florida State University
Hofstra University placed #12 among the best music education schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 music education students who graduated with this degree at Hofstra University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $52,451 in their early career. Hofstra University graduates carry a median of $23,517 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music education from Hofstra University
University Of Georgia ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 43 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $61,081. Typical student debt for the program is $20,750.
Read more about the music education program at University Of Georgia
Central Washington University placed #14 among the best music education schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Ellensburg. Central Washington University graduates 54% of students within six years. Central Washington University awarded about 21 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $49,177 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,377.
Read more about the music education program at Central Washington University
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best music education schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 26 music education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,282 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
Get the full music education details for Ohio State University Main Campus
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 34 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $50,587 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full music education details for Indiana University Bloomington
Illinois State University landed the #17 spot for music education this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 41 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $50,102 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,149 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music education program at Illinois State University
Arizona State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 23 music education degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Music Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $54,028 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,842.
More information about a degree in music education from Arizona State University
Butler University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Indianapolis. About 79% of students finish within six years. Butler University awarded about 15 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351.
Get the full music education details for Butler University
University Of Florida came in at #20 for music education this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 45 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,476 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,275.
Read more about the music education program at University Of Florida
University Of Oregon ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 music education degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $44,628. Typical student debt for the program is $22,034.
Get the full music education details for University Of Oregon
New York University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 32 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of New York University earn a median of $56,866 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $25,403 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music education from New York University
Towson University earned the #23 position for music education this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 music education students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $56,200. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music education from Towson University
Vanderbilt University placed #24 among the best music education schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Vanderbilt University awarded about 12 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
Get the full music education details for Vanderbilt University
Baylor University earned the #25 position for music education this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. About 80% of students finish within six years. Baylor University awarded about 25 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from Baylor University earn around $53,201 in the first couple years of their career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full music education details for Baylor University
Rest of the Top 50 Music Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s music education ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 132 schools evaluated.
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 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).
