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.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 5 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 the The Plains States Region.
Our analysis ranked University Of Northern Iowa the best school in the country for a degree in music performance. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 music performance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Music Performance graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $32,175 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full music performance details for University Of Northern Iowa
Students looking for a strong music performance program will find one at Pittsburg State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 music performance students who graduated with this degree at Pittsburg State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music performance degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,003. Typical student debt for the program is $22,669.
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Students looking for a strong music performance program will find one at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 68 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $32,144 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong music performance program will find one at Wichita State University, which ranked #4. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Wichita State University graduates 51% of students within six years. About 19 music performance degrees were awarded at Wichita State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $49,278 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete this degree.
See the full music performance program report for Wichita State University
Missouri State University Springfield is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music performance, landing the #5 spot this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 12 music performance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music performance program make about $46,503 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,408.
Read more about the music performance program at Missouri State University Springfield
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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 · 5 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.
