2027 Best Music Schools in Virginia
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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best music schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Music in Virginia
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.
Top Schools in Music
No school ranked higher than University Of Virginia Main Campus this year for music. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 21 music degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Music graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,131.
See the full music program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
James Madison University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. James Madison University awarded about 74 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from James Madison University earn around $36,106 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,968.
See the full music program report for James Madison University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #3 spot this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 18 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $60,004 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full music program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
George Mason University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 70 music students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $34,841. Typical student debt for the program is $24,048.
Get the full music details for George Mason University
Old Dominion University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #5. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 21 music degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Music graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Get the full music details for Old Dominion University
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #6 position for music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 34 music degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $28,989 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 Virginia Commonwealth University
Radford University came in at #7 for music this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 music degrees were awarded at Radford University in the most recent year. Music graduates of Radford University earn a median of $39,593 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in music from Radford University
Liberty University placed #8 among the best music schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Liberty University awarded about 199 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $33,956 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music from Liberty University
Shenandoah University came in at #9 for music this year. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Shenandoah University awarded about 86 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Shenandoah University earn around $62,948 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music program at Shenandoah University
Virginia State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. About 14 music degrees were awarded at Virginia State University in the most recent year. Music graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $40,620 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,010.
See the full music program report for Virginia State University
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Notes and References
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.
- 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.