Music Performance degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their music performance programs.
College Factual analyzed 12 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 James Madison University this year for music performance. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 83 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from James Madison University earn around $36,106 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,968 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music performance program at James Madison University
A rank of #2 makes George Mason University one of the top schools for music performance. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 music performance degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Music Performance graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $34,841 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,048 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music performance from George Mason University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #3 spot this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 40 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music performance degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $28,989 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in music performance from Virginia Commonwealth University
Old Dominion University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #4 spot this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $57,131 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music performance program at Old Dominion University
Students looking for a strong music performance program will find one at Shenandoah University, which ranked #5. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. Shenandoah University graduates 66% of students within six years. About 44 music performance degrees were awarded at Shenandoah University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music performance degree from Shenandoah University earn around $62,948 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
See the full music performance program report for Shenandoah University
More Music Performance Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 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.
