by our College Data Analytics TeamMusic 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.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 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.
No school ranked higher than Pennsylvania State University Main Campus this year for music performance. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 13 music performance degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. More information about a degree in music performance from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong music performance program will find one at Messiah College, which ranked #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. About 75% of students finish within six years. Messiah College awarded about 40 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $66,109. Students borrow a median of $25,965 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music performance from Messiah College
Temple University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music performance, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 43 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. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. See the full music performance program report for Temple University
Carnegie Mellon University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music performance, ranking #4. 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. There were roughly 23 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $23,278 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,431. See the full music performance program report for Carnegie Mellon University
Lebanon Valley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best music performance schools. Located in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Lebanon Valley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $49,383 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,846. More information about a degree in music performance from Lebanon Valley College
Duquesne University came in at #6 for music performance this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 music performance degrees were awarded at Duquesne University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music performance degree from Duquesne University earn around $27,854 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full music performance program report for Duquesne University
Curtis Institute Of Music placed #7 among the best music performance schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Curtis Institute Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 100% of students finish within six years. Curtis Institute Of Music awarded about 24 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), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 26 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.