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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the early-career earnings of their music graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send music graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Colorado State University Fort Collins tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools in Colorado. 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 $52,178 per year.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Colorado Denver one of the highest-paying schools for music. University Of Colorado Denver is a public school located in the city of Denver. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver typically earn about $36,502 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at University Of Colorado Boulder, which ranked #3. University Of Colorado Boulder is a public school located in the city of Boulder. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder typically earn about $36,812 annually.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. University Of Northern Colorado is a public school located in the city of Greeley. Music graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $47,769 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at Metropolitan State College Of Denver, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from Metropolitan State College Of Denver make a median of around $37,991 per year.
University Of Denver landed the #6 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of Denver typically earn about $33,628 annually.
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 · 6 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.