2026 Best Music Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 school for music. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 30 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Stanford University

2

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 music students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Read more about the music program at San Jose State University

3

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Santa Barbara one of the top schools for music. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 36 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $45,488 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,501 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at University Of California Santa Barbara

4

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Students looking for a strong music program will find one at Sonoma State University, which ranked #4. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 22 music degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $51,140. Students borrow a median of $18,031 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at Sonoma State University

5

University Of The Pacific
Stockton, CA

A rank of #5 makes University Of The Pacific one of the top schools for music. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Stockton. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. University Of The Pacific awarded about 15 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,017. More information about a degree in music from University Of The Pacific

6

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #6 position for music this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of California Davis earn around $24,630 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. See the full music program report for University Of California Davis

7

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #7 position for music this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $50,958 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,539. Read more about the music program at University Of California Irvine

8

Concordia University Irvine
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine placed #8 among the best music schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Irvine. About 58% of students finish within six years. Concordia University Irvine awarded about 13 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $58,590 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,085. More information about a degree in music from Concordia University Irvine

9

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College placed #9 among the best music schools. Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 music degrees were awarded at Occidental College in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $41,514 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,967 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Occidental College

10

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay placed #10 among the best music schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University East Bay awarded about 16 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $58,951 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,073. See the full music program report for California State University East Bay

11

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 150 music degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from California State University Northridge earn around $28,106 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,933. See the full music program report for California State University Northridge

12

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #12 position for music this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 119 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Music graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,823 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,119. See the full music program report for University Of California Los Angeles

13

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #13 position for music this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 207 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $23,244. Students borrow a median of $20,976 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from University Of Southern California

14

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #14 among the best music schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 79 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $20,440. Typical student debt for the program is $15,131. Get the full music details for San Diego State University

15

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #15 for music this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 30 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Music graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $21,592 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,938 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for University Of California San Diego

16

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 music students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $20,887 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. More information about a degree in music from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

17

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University placed #17 among the best music schools. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 music students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $14,538 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in music from Chapman University

18

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #18 position for music this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. California State University Sacramento awarded about 44 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $25,391. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from California State University Sacramento

19

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills placed #19 among the best music schools. This large public university is located in the city of Carson. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Dominguez Hills awarded about 12 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Get the full music details for California State University Dominguez Hills

20

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 96 music degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Music graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $23,969 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,469 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for California State University Fullerton

21

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University landed the #21 spot for music this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Azusa. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 music students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Azusa Pacific University earn around $37,001 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Azusa Pacific University

22

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 13 music degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $40,920 in their early career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. Read more about the music program at University Of California Santa Cruz

23

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chico. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 25 music students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Music graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $25,339 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,125. See the full music program report for California State University Chico

24

University Of Redlands
Redlands, CA

University Of Redlands ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Redlands awarded about 20 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $57,218 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for University Of Redlands

25

William Jessup University
Rocklin, CA

William Jessup University placed #25 among the best music schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rocklin. William Jessup University graduates 56% of students within six years. William Jessup University awarded about 11 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $46,461 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,420. More information about a degree in music from William Jessup University