2026 Best Music History Master’s Degree Schools
Music History 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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 73 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music history students pursuing a degree.
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Featured Music History Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
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Best Schools for Music History in the United States
These are the top schools for a master’s degree in music history, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Music History
Rider University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in music history. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Rider University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 11 music history degrees were awarded at Rider University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music history program make about $33,158 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music history from Rider University
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best music history schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 13 music history degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Graduates of the music history program make about $33,384 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete this degree.
Get the full music history details for Cuny Hunter College
Students looking for a strong music history program will find one at The New School, which ranked #3. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 12 music history students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Music History graduates of The New School earn a median of $18,911 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
See the full music history program report for The New School
Students looking for a strong music history program will find one at West Virginia University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 music history degrees were awarded at West Virginia University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music history degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $26,011. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the music history program at West Virginia University
Other Music History Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Music History rankings across degree levels:
View All Music History Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
