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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their music graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying music schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose music graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in music, no school beat Georgia State University this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Georgia State University typically earn about $47,699 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media one of the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the suburb of Duluth, Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media typically earn about $24,762 annually.
Emory University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Music graduates of Emory University earn a median of about $33,430 a year early in their careers.
Kennesaw State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Music graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of about $29,106 a year early in their careers.
University Of Georgia produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Georgia is a public school located in the city of Athens. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $15,289.
American Intercontinental University Atlanta ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, American Intercontinental University Atlanta is a private for-profit institution. Music graduates of American Intercontinental University Atlanta earn a median of about $22,690 a year early in their careers.
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 · 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.