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 11 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 Rowan University, our #1 for music graduate salaries in New Jersey. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Rowan University typically earn about $58,894 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Rutgers University Camden one of the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from Rutgers University Camden make a median of around $46,231 per year.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick typically earn about $46,231 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Rutgers University Newark earned it the #4 place for music. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark typically earn about $46,231 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at Montclair State University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,270.
Monmouth University came in at #6 for music graduate earnings this year. Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. After graduating, music degree recipients from Monmouth University typically earn about $44,550 annually.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Music graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of about $40,909 a year early in their careers.
Rider University came in at #8 for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,624.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public school located in the suburb of Wayne. After graduating, music degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey typically earn about $26,621 annually.
New Jersey City University landed the #10 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $33,547.
Stevens Institute Of Technology placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Stevens Institute Of Technology typically earn about $21,623 annually.
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 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.
