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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying music schools.
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 Luther College this year. Luther College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. Music graduates of Luther College earn a median of about $47,981 a year early in their careers.
University Of Iowa came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a public institution. After graduating, music degree recipients from University Of Iowa typically earn about $41,327 annually.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the highest-paying schools for music. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Students who complete the music program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,893.
Simpson College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in music, landing the #4 spot 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.
Coe College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying music schools. Coe College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Early-career music graduates from Coe College make a median of around $24,233 per year.
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 · 5 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.