by our College Data Analytics Team
[Music](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 71 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.
Vanderbilt University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid music graduates in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,962.
Strong graduate earnings at Auburn University earned it the #2 place for music. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from Auburn University make a median of around $51,177 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Tennessee Technological University earned it the #3 place for music. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from Tennessee Technological University make a median of around $44,635 per year.
University Of Central Arkansas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. University Of Central Arkansas is a public school located in the city of Conway. Early-career music graduates from University Of Central Arkansas make a median of around $54,202 per year.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Arkansas one of the highest-paying schools for music. University Of Arkansas is a public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Music graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of about $46,649 a year early in their careers.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #6 spot for music salaries this year. Coastal Carolina University is a public school located in the city of Conway. Music graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $41,810 a year early in their careers.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #7 position for music graduate earnings this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Tampa. Music graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of about $45,052 a year early in their careers.
Southeastern Louisiana University earned the #8 position for music graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a public institution. Music graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of about $39,983 a year early in their careers.
Radford University earned the #9 position for music graduate earnings this year. Radford University is a public school located in the town of Radford. After graduating, music degree recipients from Radford University typically earn about $41,921 annually.
James Madison University came in at #10 for music graduate earnings this year. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,783.
Jacksonville State University landed the #11 spot for music salaries this year. Jacksonville State University is a public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,790.
Austin Peay State University earned the #12 position for music graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Music graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of about $39,008 a year early in their careers.
Murray State University earned the #13 position for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a public institution. Music graduates of Murray State University earn a median of about $46,197 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #14 for music graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte typically earn about $38,831 annually.
Old Dominion University earned the #15 position for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,373.
Western Kentucky University came in at #16 for music graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. Music graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $43,735 a year early in their careers.
George Mason University earned the #17 position for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from George Mason University make a median of around $45,450 per year.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,029.
University Of Memphis earned the #19 position for music graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Music graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of about $46,852 a year early in their careers.
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of South Carolina Columbia make a median of around $50,239 per year.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #21 spot for music salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University typically earn about $41,644 annually.
The University Of Tennessee placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,061.
Georgia State University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Georgia State University typically earn about $47,897 annually.
University Of North Alabama earned the #24 position for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of North Alabama make a median of around $39,095 per year.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,309.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid music ranking:
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 · 71 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.
