2026 Best General Music Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general music. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 29 general music degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general music program make about $100,827 in their early career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read more about the general music program at Stanford University

2

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for general music. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 general music degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. More information about a degree in general music from San Jose State University

3

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general music, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 general music students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $45,488 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,501 to complete this degree. Read more about the general music program at University Of California Santa Barbara

4

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. Sonoma State University awarded about 22 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from Sonoma State University earn around $51,140 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,031. Read more about the general music program at Sonoma State University

5

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 26 general music students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data 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. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. Read more about the general music program at University Of California Davis

6

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College landed the #6 spot for general music this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Occidental College graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 general music students who graduated with this degree at Occidental College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from Occidental College earn around $41,514 in the first couple years of their career. Occidental College graduates carry a median of $22,967 in student loans. Read more about the general music program at Occidental College

7

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay landed the #7 spot for general music this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 general music students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $58,951 in their early career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Get the full general music details for California State University East Bay

8

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #8 for general music this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 46 general music students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $28,106 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,933. See the full general music program report for California State University Northridge

9

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #9 position for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 28 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $18,823 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,119. More information about a degree in general music from University Of California Los Angeles

10

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University came in at #10 for general music this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 11 general music degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $20,440. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,131 in student loans. More information about a degree in general music from San Diego State University

11

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego earned the #11 position for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 26 general music degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. General Music graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $21,592 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $18,938 in student loans. Get the full general music details for University Of California San Diego

12

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #12 position for general music this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 42 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $20,887 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general music from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

13

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #13 for general music this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 10 general music degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $25,391 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general music program at California State University Sacramento

14

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. About 43% of students finish within six years. California State University Dominguez Hills awarded about 12 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. More information about a degree in general music from California State University Dominguez Hills

15

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton landed the #15 spot for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 37 general music degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. General Music graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $23,969 early in their careers. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $20,469 in student loans. See the full general music program report for California State University Fullerton

16

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University landed the #16 spot for general music this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Azusa Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. Azusa Pacific University awarded about 50 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $37,001. Azusa Pacific University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. See the full general music program report for Azusa Pacific University

17

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico earned the #17 position for general music this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 25 general music students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $25,339 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general music from California State University Chico

18

William Jessup University
Rocklin, CA

William Jessup University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. William Jessup University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rocklin. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 11 general music degrees were awarded at William Jessup University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from William Jessup University earn around $46,461 in the first couple years of their career. William Jessup University graduates carry a median of $21,420 in student loans. See the full general music program report for William Jessup University

19

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #19 for general music this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. San Francisco State University awarded about 18 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general music program make about $31,621 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. Get the full general music details for San Francisco State University

20

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 62 general music degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their general music degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $14,166 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,800 to complete this degree. Get the full general music details for University Of California Berkeley

21

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno landed the #21 spot for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 general music students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from California State University Fresno earn around $49,502 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete this degree. Get the full general music details for California State University Fresno

22

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University landed the #22 spot for general music this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. California Baptist University awarded about 10 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $51,999. Typical student debt for the program is $28,169. Read more about the general music program at California Baptist University

23

The Masters College And Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA

The Masters College And Seminary ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 10 general music degrees were awarded at The Masters College And Seminary in the most recent year. Graduates of the general music program make about $31,340 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,334. More information about a degree in general music from The Masters College And Seminary

24

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College earned the #24 position for general music this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Walnut. There were roughly 19 general music students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. More information about a degree in general music from Mt San Antonio College

25

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles placed #25 among the best general music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. California State University Los Angeles awarded about 14 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $21,509. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. See the full general music program report for California State University Los Angeles