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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find where music graduates earn the most.
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 Sam Houston State University this year. Sam Houston State University is a public school located in the town of Huntsville. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,384.
University Of Houston produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of Houston make a median of around $52,249 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Stephen F Austin State University one of the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,492.
A rank of #4 makes Texas Womans University one of the highest-paying schools for music. Texas Womans University is a public school located in the city of Denton. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,362.
Texas State University San Marcos produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #5 spot this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a public school located in the city of San Marcos. After graduating, music degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos typically earn about $54,561 annually.
Texas Tech University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,170.
University Of North Texas placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,651.
Southern Methodist University landed the #8 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career music graduates from Southern Methodist University make a median of around $44,698 per year.
Rice University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career music graduates from Rice University make a median of around $36,730 per year.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school located in the city of Austin. After graduating, music degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin typically earn about $41,444 annually.
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 · 10 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.