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 4 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.
Grand Canyon University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid music graduates in Arizona. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,851.
A rank of #2 makes Northern Arizona University one of the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from Northern Arizona University make a median of around $26,128 per year.
University Of Arizona produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,164.
Students chasing top earnings in music will find them at Arizona State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Arizona State University typically earn about $27,211 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 · 4 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.