Music Performance is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music performance students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Below are the best music performance schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Our analysis ranked Mesa Community College the best school in the country for a degree in music performance. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Mesa Community College awarded about 10 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Music Performance graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750.
Read more about the music performance program at Mesa Community College
Students looking for a strong music performance program will find one at Glendale Community College Glendale Az, which ranked #2. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. There were roughly 15 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Glendale Community College Glendale Az in the most recent data year. Music Performance graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,996.
Read more about the music performance program at Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Cuny Laguardia Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. About 10 music performance degrees were awarded at Cuny Laguardia Community College in the most recent year. Music Performance graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Cuny Laguardia Community College graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music performance from Cuny Laguardia Community College
A rank of #4 makes Onondaga Community College one of the top schools for music performance. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. Onondaga Community College awarded about 12 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. Onondaga Community College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Get the full music performance details for Onondaga Community College
Students looking for a strong music performance program will find one at Musicians Institute, which ranked #5. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Hollywood. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 42 music performance degrees were awarded at Musicians Institute in the most recent year.
Read more about the music performance program at Musicians Institute
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Music Performance rankings across degree levels:
View All Music Performance Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 5 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.
