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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find where music graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose music graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in music, no school beat Finger Lakes Community College this year. Set in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from Finger Lakes Community College make a median of around $38,805 per year.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a public school located in the city of New York. After graduating, music degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College typically earn about $53,767 annually.
Suny College At Buffalo produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,427.
A rank of #4 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,924.
Ithaca College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Ithaca College typically earn about $47,526 annually.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #6 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from Suny College At Potsdam make a median of around $45,065 per year.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #7 for music graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College typically earn about $29,383 annually.
Hofstra University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit institution. Music graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of about $55,031 a year early in their careers.
Manhattan School Of Music ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Set in the city of New York, Manhattan School Of Music is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $28,896.
New York University came in at #10 for music graduate earnings this year. New York University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,761.
Five Towns College earned the #11 position for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Dix Hills, Five Towns College is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,225.
Cuny City College earned the #12 position for music graduate earnings this year. Cuny City College is a public school located in the city of New York. Early-career music graduates from Cuny City College make a median of around $40,856 per year.
The Juilliard School landed the #13 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $26,868.
Suny At Fredonia placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,164.
Suny At Purchase College landed the #15 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College typically earn about $31,045 annually.
University Of Rochester landed the #16 spot for music salaries this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of Rochester make a median of around $34,412 per year.
Syracuse University earned the #17 position for music graduate earnings this year. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Early-career music graduates from Syracuse University make a median of around $18,574 per year.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from State University Of New York At New Paltz make a median of around $17,406 per year.
The New School placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $23,875.
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 · 19 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.