by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their music graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the early-career earnings of their music graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose music graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Otterbein University, our #1 for music graduate salaries in Ohio. Otterbein University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,388.
Strong graduate earnings at Capital University earned it the #2 place for music. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career music graduates from Capital University make a median of around $44,322 per year.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus make a median of around $42,955 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at Ohio University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Ohio University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Athens. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,932.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at Cleveland State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a public institution. Music graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of about $32,887 a year early in their careers.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus typically earn about $27,350 annually.
Youngstown State University earned the #7 position for music graduate earnings this year. Youngstown State University is a public school located in the city of Youngstown. Music graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of about $34,657 a year early in their careers.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #8 for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus typically earn about $43,789 annually.
Kent State University At Kent placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for music. Kent State University At Kent is a public school located in the suburb of Kent. Early-career music graduates from Kent State University At Kent make a median of around $35,959 per year.
Baldwin Wallace College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career music graduates from Baldwin Wallace College make a median of around $26,549 per year.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for music. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Early-career music graduates from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus make a median of around $34,644 per year.
Kent State University At Stark came in at #12 for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Kent State University At Stark is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Kent State University At Stark typically earn about $24,340 annually.
Oberlin College came in at #13 for music graduate earnings this year. Oberlin College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. Music graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of about $32,993 a year early in their careers.
Cleveland Institute Of Music ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Cleveland Institute Of Music is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $26,900.
Miami University Oxford ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Miami University Oxford typically earn about $19,353 annually.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their music graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 15 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.