2026 Best Music Schools in Kentucky
Music 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools to find the best for music students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Music in Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music education in Kentucky.
Top Schools in Music
University Of Louisville is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in music. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 55 music degrees were awarded at University Of Louisville in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Louisville earn around $19,816 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,745 to complete this degree.
See the full music program report for University Of Louisville
Western Kentucky University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best music schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. Western Kentucky University awarded about 31 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $34,766. Typical student debt for the program is $24,317.
See the full music program report for Western Kentucky University
University Of Kentucky is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #3. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 72 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Music graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $30,818 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
See the full music program report for University Of Kentucky
Murray State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the town of Murray. About 64% of students finish within six years. Murray State University awarded about 23 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $34,098. Typical student debt for the program is $26,731.
Read more about the music program at Murray State University
Eastern Kentucky University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #5. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Eastern Kentucky University awarded about 25 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $30,106 early in their careers. Eastern Kentucky University graduates carry a median of $20,379 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music from Eastern Kentucky University
Morehead State University came in at #6 for music this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Morehead State University awarded about 15 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $31,088. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music from Morehead State University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
