2026 Best General Music Schools in Massachusetts
General Music 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools to find the best for general music students.
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Best Schools for General Music in Massachusetts
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 general music degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in General Music
Our analysis ranked Boston University the best school in the country for a degree in general music. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 11 general music students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general music degree from Boston University earn around $30,982 in the first couple years of their career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $26,957 in student loans.
See the full general music program report for Boston University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. About 32 general music degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $30,429. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full general music details for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Northeastern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general music, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 24 general music degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general music program make about $21,978 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,568.
Get the full general music details for Northeastern University
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general music schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. University Of Massachusetts Boston awarded about 13 general music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general music degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $52,885. Typical student debt for the program is $26,236.
See the full general music program report for University Of Massachusetts Boston
More General Music Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 33 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.
