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 highest-paying schools turn a music degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the early-career earnings of their music graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send music graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire, our #1 for music graduate salaries in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public school located in the city of Eau Claire. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire typically earn about $45,767 annually.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Platteville one of the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of Wisconsin Platteville make a median of around $41,386 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,622.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Whitewater one of the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater make a median of around $46,845 per year.
Lawrence University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Lawrence University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Appleton. Early-career music graduates from Lawrence University make a median of around $32,725 per year.
Carthage College landed the #6 spot for music salaries this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,258.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #7 spot for music salaries this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,577.
This list is compiled 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 · 7 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.