by our College Data Analytics TeamMusic Performance programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their music performance programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools to find the best for music performance students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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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 performance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked San Jose State University the best school in the country for a degree in music performance. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 27 music performance degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Read more about the music performance program at San Jose State University
Students looking for a strong music performance program will find one at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 11 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $50,958 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music performance from University Of California Irvine
California State University Northridge is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music performance, ranking #3. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 85 music performance students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $28,106. Students borrow a median of $15,933 to complete this degree. Get the full music performance details for California State University Northridge
Students looking for a strong music performance program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school 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 40 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $18,823 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete this degree. See the full music performance program report for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music performance, ranking #5. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 47 music performance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Music Performance graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $23,244 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans. Get the full music performance details for University Of Southern California
San Diego State University earned the #6 position for music performance this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 68 music performance students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music performance 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. Get the full music performance details for San Diego State University
California State University Sacramento earned the #7 position for music performance this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 34 music performance students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $25,391. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500. More information about a degree in music performance from California State University Sacramento
California State University Fullerton placed #8 among the best music performance schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 59 music performance degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Students who receive their music performance degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $23,969 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,469. Get the full music performance details for California State University Fullerton
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #9 spot for music performance this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 music performance degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $40,920 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete this degree. Read more about the music performance program at University Of California Santa Cruz
San Francisco State University placed #10 among the best music performance schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 music performance degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $31,621. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full music performance details for San Francisco State University
California State University Long Beach came in at #11 for music performance this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 104 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Music Performance graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $21,916 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,550. Get the full music performance details for California State University Long Beach
California State University Los Angeles landed the #12 spot for music performance this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 48 music performance students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $21,509 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,500. Get the full music performance details for California State University Los Angeles
Musicians Institute earned the #13 position for music performance this year. Located in the city of Hollywood, Musicians Institute is a small private for-profit university. Musicians Institute graduates 47% of students within six years. About 181 music performance degrees were awarded at Musicians Institute in the most recent year. Get the full music performance details for Musicians Institute
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.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
