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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find where music graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send music graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
North Dakota State University Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus typically earn about $51,625 annually.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Nebraska At Kearney one of the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,195.
Luther College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,981.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned it the #4 place for music. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of Nebraska Lincoln make a median of around $46,028 per year.
Concordia College At Moorhead produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution. Music graduates of Concordia College At Moorhead earn a median of about $43,717 a year early in their careers.
University Of Iowa ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of Iowa make a median of around $37,858 per year.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of Missouri St Louis make a median of around $42,194 per year.
University Of Central Missouri placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri typically earn about $46,340 annually.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for music. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Early-career music graduates from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities make a median of around $53,008 per year.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,939.
St Olaf College came in at #11 for music graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from St Olaf College typically earn about $51,102 annually.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #12 position for music graduate earnings this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Early-career music graduates from University Of Northern Iowa make a median of around $38,893 per year.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #13 spot for music salaries this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public school located in the city of Duluth. Music graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of about $31,780 a year early in their careers.
Wichita State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from Wichita State University typically earn about $29,586 annually.
Simpson College came in at #15 for music graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Music graduates of Simpson College earn a median of about $29,151 a year early in their careers.
Webster University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. Music graduates of Webster University earn a median of about $27,519 a year early in their careers.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #17 for music graduate earnings this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,674.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #18 spot for music salaries this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha typically earn about $29,586 annually.
Coe College came in at #19 for music graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a private not-for-profit institution. Music graduates of Coe College earn a median of about $24,233 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 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.
