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 highest-paying schools turn a music degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
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.
Southeastern Louisiana University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid music graduates in Louisiana. Southeastern Louisiana University is a public school located in the city of Hammond. Music graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of about $39,983 a year early in their careers.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #2 spot this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Early-career music graduates from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College make a median of around $46,309 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at Mcneese State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,305.
Strong graduate earnings at Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned it the #4 place for music. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a public school located in the town of Natchitoches. Early-career music graduates from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana make a median of around $23,529 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of New Orleans earned it the #5 place for music. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $17,767.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #6 for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $13,479.
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 · 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.
