General Music programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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 242 schools to find the best for general music students.
Where you study general music matters for your future. To help, we created our Best General Music Schools 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 General Music Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
Leading the list is Dartmouth College, our #1 school for general music. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 13 general music students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Dartmouth College graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans.
Read more about the general music program at Dartmouth College
San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general music, ranking #2. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 23 general music degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full general music program report for San Jose State University
Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general music, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 18 general music degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
Read more about the general music program at Stanford University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the top schools for general music. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 74 general music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $22,559 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general music from University Of Florida
Students looking for a strong general music program will find one at Brown University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 general music students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $62,820 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,025.
More information about a degree in general music from Brown University
The College Of New Jersey placed #6 among the best general music schools. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The College Of New Jersey awarded about 13 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $56,617 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,429.
Get the full general music details for The College Of New Jersey
Harvard University placed #7 among the best general music schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 19 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $95,207 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general music program at Harvard University
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #8 spot for general music this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 72 general music degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $52,541 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,614.
Get the full general music details for University Of Maryland College Park
Northwestern University landed the #9 spot for general music this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 general music students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $28,057. Typical student debt for the program is $18,166.
More information about a degree in general music from Northwestern University
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #10 for general music this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 21 general music degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Typical student debt for the program is $18,131.
Read more about the general music program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
Auburn University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best general music schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 general music students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803.
See the full general music program report for Auburn University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for general music this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 general music students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year.
Read more about the general music program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Princeton University placed #13 among the best general music schools. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Princeton University awarded about 22 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from Princeton University earn around $67,532 in the first couple years of their career. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans.
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New York University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best general music schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 23 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from New York University generally make around $28,287. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the general music program at New York University
University Of California San Diego placed #15 among the best general music schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 general music degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $21,592 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,938 to complete this degree.
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University Of Utah came in at #16 for general music this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Utah awarded about 68 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from University Of Utah earn around $42,548 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Utah graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
See the full general music program report for University Of Utah
Illinois State University landed the #17 spot for general music this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 37 general music students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $35,863. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
See the full general music program report for Illinois State University
University Of Houston earned the #18 position for general music this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 79 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from University Of Houston earn around $52,799 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #19 spot for general music this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 73 general music degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $28,677. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Read more about the general music program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best general music schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 18 general music students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full general music program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of California Davis came in at #21 for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 28 general music degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from University Of California Davis earn around $24,630 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general music from University Of California Davis
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #22 position for general music this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 general music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. General Music graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $38,029 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,250.
See the full general music program report for University Of Mississippi Main Campus
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #23 spot for general music this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 14 general music degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Graduates of the general music program make about $53,507 in their early career. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans.
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Gustavus Adolphus College placed #24 among the best general music schools. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 general music students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $44,396 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,197 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general music program at Gustavus Adolphus College
University Of Delaware landed the #25 spot for general music this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. University Of Delaware awarded about 38 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $38,417 in their early career. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $25,334 in student loans.
Get the full general music details for University Of Delaware
Rest of the Top 50 General Music Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general music ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 242 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).
