by our College Data Analytics TeamMusic is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their music programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Below are the best music schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
No school ranked higher than County College Of Morris this year for music. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. About 14 music degrees were awarded at County College Of Morris in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $30,966 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,420. Read more about the music program at County College Of Morris
Valencia College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #2. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. Valencia College awarded about 41 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $22,985 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,575 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for Valencia College
Miami Dade College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Miami Dade College awarded about 28 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. Miami Dade College graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Read more about the music program at Miami Dade College
Austin Community College District is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #4. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Austin Community College District awarded about 22 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,519. Get the full music details for Austin Community College District
Mesa Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Mesa. There were roughly 13 music students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750. More information about a degree in music from Mesa Community College
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 15 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Moorpark College came in at #7 for music this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 music students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Moorpark College earn around $105,599 in the first couple years of their career. Moorpark College graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. See the full music program report for Moorpark College
Utah Valley University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Orem. About 40% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 music students who graduated with this degree at Utah Valley University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $24,952 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Utah Valley University
Lone Star College System landed the #9 spot for music this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. About 49 music degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from Lone Star College System earn around $39,954 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,425. See the full music program report for Lone Star College System
Suffolk County Community College earned the #10 position for music this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. About 12 music degrees were awarded at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from Suffolk County Community College earn around $35,667 in the first couple years of their career. Suffolk County Community College graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Suffolk County Community College
El Centro College placed #11 among the best music schools. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. About 17 music degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Music graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. El Centro College graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from El Centro College
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Cuny Laguardia Community College awarded about 10 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $31,437 in their early career. Cuny Laguardia Community College graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. See the full music program report for Cuny Laguardia Community College
Santa Monica College came in at #13 for music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Monica. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 music degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in music from Santa Monica College
Daytona State College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. About 23 music degrees were awarded at Daytona State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from Daytona State College earn around $43,320 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,227 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Daytona State College
West Valley College earned the #15 position for music this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. There were roughly 18 music students who graduated with this degree at West Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Typical student debt for the program is $14,308. Get the full music details for West Valley College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #16 position for music this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College awarded about 27 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
San Jacinto Community College earned the #17 position for music this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. About 17 music degrees were awarded at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent year. Music graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. San Jacinto Community College graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from San Jacinto Community College
Saddleback College landed the #18 spot for music this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. About 12 music degrees were awarded at Saddleback College in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $15,890 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,707. More information about a degree in music from Saddleback College
Honolulu Community College landed the #19 spot for music this year. Honolulu Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. There were roughly 17 music students who graduated with this degree at Honolulu Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. Honolulu Community College graduates carry a median of $10,868 in student loans. Get the full music details for Honolulu Community College
Riverside City College placed #20 among the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. About 45 music degrees were awarded at Riverside City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $37,102 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Riverside City College
Northwest College came in at #21 for music this year. Northwest College is a small public school located in the town of Powell. There were roughly 10 music students who graduated with this degree at Northwest College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $40,014. Northwest College graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. See the full music program report for Northwest College
Portland Community College came in at #22 for music this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. Portland Community College awarded about 26 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Portland Community College generally make around $49,580. Portland Community College graduates carry a median of $20,648 in student loans. Read more about the music program at Portland Community College
Butte College placed #23 among the best music schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. About 10 music degrees were awarded at Butte College in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $67,048 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at Butte College
Fullerton College landed the #24 spot for music this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 21 music degrees were awarded at Fullerton College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in music from Fullerton College
Broward College came in at #25 for music this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 10 music students who graduated with this degree at Broward College in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,110. Get the full music details for Broward College
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong music education:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Music rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 54 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.