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 14 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Rhode Island the top school for music graduate earnings in the New England Region. University Of Rhode Island is a public school located in the suburb of Kingston. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island typically earn about $60,062 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #2 place for music. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,730.
Rhode Island College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Rhode Island College typically earn about $49,042 annually.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Durham. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus typically earn about $49,668 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at Northeastern University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Music graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of about $61,223 a year early in their careers.
University Of Connecticut came in at #6 for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of Connecticut make a median of around $46,374 per year.
The New England Conservatory Of Music landed the #7 spot for music salaries this year. The New England Conservatory Of Music is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Music graduates of The New England Conservatory Of Music earn a median of about $33,247 a year early in their careers.
Vermont Technical College came in at #8 for music graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,862.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Music graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $32,203 a year early in their careers.
Boston University earned the #10 position for music graduate earnings this year. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Early-career music graduates from Boston University make a median of around $41,316 per year.
University Of New Haven landed the #11 spot for music salaries this year. University Of New Haven is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,704.
University Of Hartford placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of Hartford typically earn about $30,834 annually.
Berklee College Of Music earned the #13 position for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Boston, Berklee College Of Music is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $33,368.
Western Connecticut State University came in at #14 for music graduate earnings this year. Western Connecticut State University is a public school located in the city of Danbury. Music graduates of Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $21,659 a year early in their careers.
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 · 14 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.