by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their music graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying music schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose music graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in music, no school beat University Of Nevada Las Vegas this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas typically earn about $49,099 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at University Of Nevada Reno, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of Nevada Reno make a median of around $44,738 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at Azusa Pacific University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Music graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of about $42,225 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Oregon earned it the #4 place for music. University Of Oregon is a public school located in the city of Eugene. Early-career music graduates from University Of Oregon make a median of around $41,338 per year.
Academy Of Art University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Academy Of Art University typically earn about $38,890 annually.
Los Angeles Film School came in at #6 for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Hollywood, Los Angeles Film School is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Los Angeles Film School typically earn about $29,529 annually.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of California Los Angeles make a median of around $50,858 per year.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #8 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,450.
The Masters College And Seminary came in at #9 for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,340.
Northwest University earned the #10 position for music graduate earnings this year. Northwest University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Kirkland. After graduating, music degree recipients from Northwest University typically earn about $31,179 annually.
San Francisco State University came in at #11 for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $30,461.
University Of California Davis landed the #12 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of California Davis typically earn about $40,840 annually.
California State University Chico placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from California State University Chico make a median of around $39,537 per year.
University Of California San Diego landed the #14 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Music graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of about $44,134 a year early in their careers.
University Of Puget Sound landed the #15 spot for music salaries this year. University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. Music graduates of University Of Puget Sound earn a median of about $36,824 a year early in their careers.
Oregon State University earned the #16 position for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Oregon State University typically earn about $29,630 annually.
Central Washington University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Central Washington University typically earn about $35,760 annually.
California State University Sacramento landed the #18 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Music graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $32,255 a year early in their careers.
California State University Monterey Bay ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from California State University Monterey Bay make a median of around $28,009 per year.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a public institution. Music graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $27,724 a year early in their careers.
San Francisco Conservatory Of Music ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco Conservatory Of Music is a private not-for-profit institution. Music graduates of San Francisco Conservatory Of Music earn a median of about $27,321 a year early in their careers.
Chapman University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,976.
Whitworth University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for music. Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. Music graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of about $29,144 a year early in their careers.
Pacific Lutheran University placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,968.
San Diego State University placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from San Diego State University typically earn about $34,258 annually.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid music ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries music graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 40 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
