2027 Best Music Education Schools in the Southwest Region
Music Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools to find the best for music education students.
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Best Schools for Music Education in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music education education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in Music Education
Leading the list is Texas Christian University, our #1 school for music education. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 music education students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $57,665 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500.
Read more about the music education program at Texas Christian University
Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at Arizona State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 23 music education degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $54,028. Typical student debt for the program is $21,842.
More information about a degree in music education from Arizona State University
Baylor University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Baylor University awarded about 25 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $53,201. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full music education program report for Baylor University
Students looking for a strong music education program will find one at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 29 music education degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music education degree from Northern Arizona University earn around $49,856 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $22,009 in student loans.
Read more about the music education program at Northern Arizona University
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 27 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music education program make about $47,572 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full music education details for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for music education this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 14 music education students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $51,097 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,102 to complete this degree.
Get the full music education details for Oklahoma State University Main Campus
West Texas A And M University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 music education students who graduated with this degree at West Texas A And M University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. Typical student debt for the program is $22,333.
Get the full music education details for West Texas A And M University
University Of Arizona landed the #8 spot for music education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 14 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music education degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $47,205. Typical student debt for the program is $25,340.
More information about a degree in music education from University Of Arizona
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #9 position for music education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albuquerque. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 11 music education students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $36,682 early in their careers. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans.
Read more about the music education program at University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Abilene Christian University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Abilene. Abilene Christian University graduates 59% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 music education students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Music Education graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $51,360 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full music education program report for Abilene Christian University
Oklahoma City University landed the #11 spot for music education this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Oklahoma City University graduates 65% of students within six years. About 11 music education degrees were awarded at Oklahoma City University in the most recent year. Music Education graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of $34,321 early in their careers. Oklahoma City University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Get the full music education details for Oklahoma City University
University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best music education schools. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates 37% of students within six years. University Of Central Oklahoma awarded about 13 music education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music education degree from University Of Central Oklahoma earn around $47,741 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full music education program report for University Of Central Oklahoma
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.