by our College Data Analytics TeamMusic Performance degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best music performance schools.
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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.
Leading the list is West Chester University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 school for music performance. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 10 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full music performance details for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Students looking for a strong music performance program will find one at Messiah College, which ranked #2. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. About 75% of students finish within six years. Messiah College awarded about 36 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from Messiah College earn around $66,109 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,965 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music performance from Messiah College
Temple University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best music performance schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 47 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $20,667 in their early career. Temple University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Get the full music performance details for Temple University
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best music performance schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 28 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Music Performance graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $23,278 early in their careers. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $24,431 in student loans. Get the full music performance details for Carnegie Mellon University
Students looking for a strong music performance program will find one at Lebanon Valley College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. Lebanon Valley College awarded about 13 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Music Performance graduates of Lebanon Valley College earn a median of $49,383 early in their careers. Lebanon Valley College graduates carry a median of $26,846 in student loans. Read more about the music performance program at Lebanon Valley College
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for music performance this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 18 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $18,462. Students borrow a median of $26,923 to complete this degree. Get the full music performance details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Duquesne University placed #7 among the best music performance schools. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 music performance degrees were awarded at Duquesne University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $27,854. Duquesne University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full music performance details for Duquesne University
Curtis Institute Of Music landed the #8 spot for music performance this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 100% of students finish within six years. Curtis Institute Of Music awarded about 20 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in music performance from Curtis Institute Of Music
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.