College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Music Education Schools in the Far Western Region

7 Colleges in the United States
146 Music Education Degrees Awarded
$55,386 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best music education schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Music Education in the Far Western Region

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.

Top Schools in Music Education

1

No school ranked higher than University Of California Los Angeles this year for music education. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 12 music education degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the music education program make about $63,833 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Get the full music education details for University Of California Los Angeles

2

Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 14 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Read more about the music education program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

3

Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at Central Washington University, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the town of Ellensburg. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 music education students who graduated with this degree at Central Washington University in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $49,177 early in their careers. Central Washington University graduates carry a median of $23,377 in student loans. Get the full music education details for Central Washington University

4

Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 10 music education degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. See the full music education program report for San Jose State University

5

Western Washington University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #5 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. Western Washington University awarded about 13 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $37,520 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at Western Washington University

6

University Of Oregon earned the #6 position for music education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Eugene. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 20 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. Students borrow a median of $22,034 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music education from University Of Oregon

7

University Of The Pacific ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best music education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Stockton. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete this degree. Read more about the music education program at University Of The Pacific

8

Eastern Washington University came in at #8 for music education this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Eastern Washington University graduates 44% of students within six years. Eastern Washington University awarded about 34 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $41,914 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,009 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music education from Eastern Washington University

9

Pacific Lutheran University landed the #9 spot for music education this year. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 69% of students finish within six years. Pacific Lutheran University awarded about 13 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from Pacific Lutheran University earn around $57,683 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,740 to complete this degree. See the full music education program report for Pacific Lutheran University

View All Music Education Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 31 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options