2027 Best Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in music. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 161 music degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Music graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $28,057 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,166. Read more about the music program at Northwestern University

2

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Students looking for a strong music program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #2. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 53 music students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $35,863 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full music details for Illinois State University

3

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Students looking for a strong music program will find one at Butler University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Butler University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 31 music degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. Typical student debt for the program is $24,170. Read more about the music program at Butler University

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for music. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 218 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $29,641. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,397 in student loans. See the full music program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for music. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $31,552 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

6

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 157 music students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $40,570 in their early career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. See the full music program report for Michigan State University

7

Lawrence University
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Set in the city of Appleton, Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Lawrence University awarded about 56 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for Lawrence University

8

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for music this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 67 music degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $35,209 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for Ohio State University Main Campus

9

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #9 position for music this year. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 music degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $43,764. Typical student debt for the program is $26,637. Read more about the music program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

10

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #10 position for music this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 121 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $25,536 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

11

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #11 spot for music this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 435 music degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Music graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $28,328 early in their careers. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $20,769 in student loans. See the full music program report for Indiana University Bloomington

12

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #12 position for music this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 77 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $34,193 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in music from Ohio University Main Campus

13

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University landed the #13 spot for music this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 music students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $37,163. Students borrow a median of $26,300 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at Eastern Illinois University

14

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #14 spot for music this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 music students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $26,540. Typical student debt for the program is $24,556. More information about a degree in music from Wheaton College Illinois

15

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. About 29 music degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $19,353 in the first couple years of their career. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the music program at Miami University Oxford

16

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #16 spot for music this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 22 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $34,079 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. Read more about the music program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

17

Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University landed the #17 spot for music this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Cedarville. Cedarville University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 music students who graduated with this degree at Cedarville University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Cedarville University graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. See the full music program report for Cedarville University

18

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #18 among the best music schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 108 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $22,885. Typical student debt for the program is $23,334. Read more about the music program at Depaul University

19

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #19 among the best music schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 music students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn around $46,566 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

20

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #20 among the best music schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 191 music degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $22,533 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,946 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

21

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #21 position for music this year. This large public university is located in the town of Whitewater. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn around $31,134 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

22

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #22 among the best music schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 24 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn around $56,930 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

23

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #23 for music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ball State University awarded about 35 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at Ball State University

24

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #24 position for music this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 68 music students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $41,632 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000. More information about a degree in music from Northern Illinois University

25

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #25 for music this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. About 22% of students finish within six years. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 20 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $49,254 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,600. Read more about the music program at Northeastern Illinois University