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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the early-career earnings of their music graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose music graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Radford University, our #1 for music graduate salaries in Virginia. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Radford University typically earn about $41,921 annually.
A rank of #2 makes James Madison University one of the highest-paying schools for music. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. After graduating, music degree recipients from James Madison University typically earn about $45,783 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at Old Dominion University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Music graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of about $38,373 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at George Mason University earned it the #4 place for music. 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.
Shenandoah University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Shenandoah University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. Early-career music graduates from Shenandoah University make a median of around $34,679 per year.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #6 spot for music salaries this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University typically earn about $42,111 annually.
Liberty University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Music graduates of Liberty University earn a median of about $36,347 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries music graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 7 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.