by our College Data Analytics TeamMusic programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their music programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music students pursuing a degree.
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If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the music degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Georgia tops our 2027 ranking of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 97 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $24,514 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,344 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for University Of Georgia
Students looking for a strong music program will find one at Mercer University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Mercer University awarded about 16 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $56,699. Typical student debt for the program is $32,463. See the full music program report for Mercer University
A rank of #3 makes Georgia State University one of the top schools for music. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 67 music degrees were awarded at Georgia State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from Georgia State University earn around $29,304 in the first couple years of their career. Georgia State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Georgia State University
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Georgia one of the top schools for music. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 13 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of North Georgia earn around $43,714 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. See the full music program report for University Of North Georgia
A rank of #5 makes Kennesaw State University one of the top schools for music. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 music students who graduated with this degree at Kennesaw State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Kennesaw State University earn around $53,824 in the first couple years of their career. Kennesaw State University graduates carry a median of $23,400 in student loans. Get the full music details for Kennesaw State University
University Of West Georgia landed the #6 spot for music this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 22 music degrees were awarded at University Of West Georgia in the most recent year. Music graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $46,432 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,789. More information about a degree in music from University Of West Georgia
Columbus State University landed the #7 spot for music this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 62 music degrees were awarded at Columbus State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the music program at Columbus State University
Georgia Southern University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 28 music degrees were awarded at Georgia Southern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $45,531 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. See the full music program report for Georgia Southern University
Valdosta State University earned the #9 position for music this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Valdosta State University graduates 42% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 music students who graduated with this degree at Valdosta State University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,914 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for Valdosta State University
Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Set in the suburb of Duluth, Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media is a small private for-profit institution. About 60 music degrees were awarded at Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media generally make around $20,098. Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media graduates carry a median of $16,507 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Atlanta Institute Of Music And Media
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.