by our College Data Analytics TeamMusic degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music students pursuing a degree.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music education in Pennsylvania.
Leading the list is West Chester University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 school for music. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 music students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in music from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Gettysburg College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Gettysburg. Gettysburg College graduates 82% of students within six years. Gettysburg College awarded about 12 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Gettysburg College earn a median of $27,556 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,309 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at Gettysburg College
Students looking for a strong music program will find one at Messiah College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Messiah College awarded about 44 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Messiah College earn around $66,109 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,965. Get the full music details for Messiah College
Students looking for a strong music program will find one at Temple University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 150 music degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $20,667 in their early career. Temple University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Temple University
Carnegie Mellon University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 99 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $23,278. Students borrow a median of $24,431 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for Carnegie Mellon University
Lebanon Valley College landed the #6 spot for music this year. Set in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 music students who graduated with this degree at Lebanon Valley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $49,383 in their early career. Lebanon Valley College graduates carry a median of $26,846 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Lebanon Valley College
Muhlenberg College landed the #7 spot for music this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Allentown. Muhlenberg College graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 music students who graduated with this degree at Muhlenberg College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Muhlenberg College generally make around $35,641. Muhlenberg College graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Muhlenberg College
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #8 among the best music schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 31 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $31,429. Typical student debt for the program is $27,128. See the full music program report for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best music schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 66 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn around $18,462 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,923 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary landed the #10 spot for music this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary awarded about 14 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn a median of $48,472 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
Duquesne University came in at #11 for music this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. About 51 music degrees were awarded at Duquesne University in the most recent year. Music graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $27,854 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full music program report for Duquesne University
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #12 among the best music schools. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 29 music degrees were awarded at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $41,939 in their early career. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,956 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Millersville. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates 58% of students within six years. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 43 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,895 early in their careers. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full music details for Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates 54% of students within six years. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 21 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $17,725 in their early career. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full music program report for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Curtis Institute Of Music earned the #15 position for music this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Curtis Institute Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. About 100% of students finish within six years. About 40 music degrees were awarded at Curtis Institute Of Music in the most recent year. See the full music program report for Curtis Institute Of Music
Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. About 22 music degrees were awarded at Community College Of Philadelphia in the most recent year. Music graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,059. Get the full music details for Community College Of Philadelphia
This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.