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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 100 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.
Sam Houston State University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid music graduates in the United States. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Sam Houston State University typically earn about $76,384 annually.
Central Washington University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #2 spot this year. Central Washington University is a public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Music graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of about $71,579 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes West Chester University Of Pennsylvania one of the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $66,675 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at Messiah College, which ranked #4. Messiah College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,109.
Academy Of Art University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #5 spot this year. Set 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 $62,287 annually.
Ithaca College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for music. Ithaca College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. Early-career music graduates from Ithaca College make a median of around $54,879 per year.
Montclair State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from Montclair State University make a median of around $54,350 per year.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins make a median of around $51,593 per year.
University Of Houston placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,249.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #10 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia typically earn about $52,731 annually.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #11 for music graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,808.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution. Music graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of about $49,492 a year early in their careers.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #13 spot for music salaries this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school located in the city of Lincoln. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln typically earn about $50,068 annually.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia typically earn about $48,168 annually.
University Of Memphis came in at #15 for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of Memphis make a median of around $47,417 per year.
California State University Northridge placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Music graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of about $58,989 a year early in their careers.
Michigan State University landed the #17 spot for music salaries this year. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,832.
University Of South Dakota landed the #18 spot for music salaries this year. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of South Dakota make a median of around $46,183 per year.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for music. Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. After graduating, music degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo typically earn about $45,292 annually.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Tampa. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,052.
Ball State University landed the #21 spot for music salaries this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Ball State University typically earn about $43,116 annually.
University Of Arizona placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Music graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of about $43,021 a year early in their careers.
Duquesne University earned the #23 position for music graduate earnings this year. Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Early-career music graduates from Duquesne University make a median of around $42,712 per year.
Rider University landed the #24 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Music graduates of Rider University earn a median of about $56,566 a year early in their careers.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #25 for music graduate earnings this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Early-career music graduates from University Of New Mexico Main Campus make a median of around $42,269 per year.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning music graduates:
Explore the highest-paying music schools at other degree levels:
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 · 100 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.