Music Performance programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music performance students pursuing a degree.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music performance education in Ohio.
Ohio State University Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best music performance schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 10 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $35,209 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full music performance program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
Ohio University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music performance, ranking #2. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 27 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Music Performance graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $34,193 early in their careers. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music performance from Ohio University Main Campus
Miami University Oxford came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best music performance schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 14 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $19,353 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full music performance program report for Miami University Oxford
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best music performance schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 147 music performance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $22,533 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,946 in student loans.
See the full music performance program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 53 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $27,559 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the music performance program at Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Oberlin College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best music performance schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Oberlin. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 88 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Oberlin College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from Oberlin College earn around $17,141 in the first couple years of their career. Oberlin College graduates carry a median of $26,200 in student loans.
Read more about the music performance program at Oberlin College
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #7 position for music performance this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 music performance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $35,273. Typical student debt for the program is $25,062.
See the full music performance program report for University Of Akron Main Campus
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #8 for music performance this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dayton. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Wright State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from Wright State University Main Campus earn around $49,077 in the first couple years of their career. Wright State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music performance from Wright State University Main Campus
Cleveland Institute Of Music placed #9 among the best music performance schools. Cleveland Institute Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Cleveland Institute Of Music awarded about 97 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $19,558 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
More information about a degree in music performance from Cleveland Institute Of Music
More Music Performance Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 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.
