Music History degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their music history programs.
College Factual analyzed 73 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best music history schools.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
The music history program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Music History 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.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Music History Schools list, to help you decide. 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.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Best Schools for Music History in the United States
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 history degrees they offer, see the list below.
Skidmore College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in music history. Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 11 music history students who graduated with this degree at Skidmore College in the most recent data year. Music History graduates of Skidmore College earn a median of $34,440 early in their careers. Skidmore College graduates carry a median of $18,274 in student loans.
Read more about the music history program at Skidmore College
Cuny Hunter College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music history, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 13 music history students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music history degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $33,384. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music history from Cuny Hunter College
West Virginia University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music history, ranking #3. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. West Virginia University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 music history students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music history program make about $26,011 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full music history details for West Virginia University
A rank of #4 makes Rider University one of the top schools for music history. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 11 music history degrees were awarded at Rider University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music history program make about $26,943 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music history program at Rider University
The New School came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best music history schools. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 music history students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music history program make about $15,510 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
Read more about the music history program at The New School
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 73 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).
