by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find where music graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send music graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Messiah College earned the #1 spot for highest-paid music graduates in Pennsylvania. Messiah College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Music graduates of Messiah College earn a median of about $66,109 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for music. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,382.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at Lebanon Valley College, which ranked #3. Lebanon Valley College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. Early-career music graduates from Lebanon Valley College make a median of around $42,353 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at Lancaster Bible College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Lancaster Bible College typically earn about $39,534 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, which ranked #5. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Indiana. Early-career music graduates from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus make a median of around $42,093 per year.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. After graduating, music degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $37,660 annually.
Duquesne University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,408.
Gettysburg College earned the #8 position for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $27,556.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $26,895.
Temple University landed the #10 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a public institution. Music graduates of Temple University earn a median of about $34,991 a year early in their careers.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #11 for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Music graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $29,788 a year early in their careers.
Albright College earned the #12 position for music graduate earnings this year. Albright College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $21,285.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $17,725 per year.
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 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.