2027 Best Music Schools in Texas
Music programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for music students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Music in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music education in Texas.
Top Schools in Music
University Of Houston tops our 2027 ranking of the best music schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston awarded about 91 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $52,799. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full music program report for University Of Houston
The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 151 music degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $33,937. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Get the full music details for The University Of Texas At Austin
Rice University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in music, ranking #3. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Rice University awarded about 85 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Rice University earn around $30,454 in the first couple years of their career. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans.
See the full music program report for Rice University
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 43 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $56,373. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates carry a median of $20,920 in student loans.
See the full music program report for The University Of Texas Pan American
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. About 54% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 54 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $37,020 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,911 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music program at The University Of Texas At Arlington
Southern Methodist University placed #6 among the best music schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 74 music degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Music graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $26,308 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,417.
Read more about the music program at Southern Methodist University
University Of North Texas earned the #7 position for music this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 299 music degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of North Texas earn around $36,763 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,456 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music program at University Of North Texas
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 92 music students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $39,318 in their early career. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans.
See the full music program report for Texas State University San Marcos
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #9 position for music this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 51 music degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $56,062 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,612.
More information about a degree in music from The University Of Texas At El Paso
Texas Christian University came in at #10 for music this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 music students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Texas Christian University earn around $60,035 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #11 spot for music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. About 52 music degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn around $47,010 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,570.
Get the full music details for The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Austin Community College District earned the #12 position for music this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 22 music students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Austin Community College District earn around $44,895 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music from Austin Community College District
Texas Womans University landed the #13 spot for music this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 music degrees were awarded at Texas Womans University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $41,210. Texas Womans University graduates carry a median of $25,810 in student loans.
See the full music program report for Texas Womans University
Stephen F Austin State University placed #14 among the best music schools. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 93 music students who graduated with this degree at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $48,405 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in music from Stephen F Austin State University
Sam Houston State University earned the #15 position for music this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Sam Houston State University graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 67 music students who graduated with this degree at Sam Houston State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Sam Houston State University earn around $59,926 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000.
Read more about the music program at Sam Houston State University
Texas Tech University landed the #16 spot for music this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 102 music students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $39,571 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,816 to complete this degree.
Read more about the music program at Texas Tech University
Baylor University came in at #17 for music this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 73 music students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $10,210 early in their careers. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in music from Baylor University
West Texas A And M University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 music students who graduated with this degree at West Texas A And M University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $50,881. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree.
See the full music program report for West Texas A And M University
Tarleton State University earned the #19 position for music this year. This large public university is located in the town of Stephenville. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tarleton State University awarded about 21 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,532 early in their careers. Tarleton State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Lone Star College System earned the #20 position for music this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. There were roughly 49 music students who graduated with this degree at Lone Star College System in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Lone Star College System earn around $39,954 in the first couple years of their career. Lone Star College System graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans.
Read more about the music program at Lone Star College System
Lamar University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Beaumont. Lamar University graduates 37% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 music students who graduated with this degree at Lamar University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $42,328 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,407.
Get the full music details for Lamar University
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #22 position for music this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. Texas A And M University Commerce awarded about 56 music degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $52,282 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,101.
More information about a degree in music from Texas A And M University Commerce
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #23 position for music this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates 54% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Tyler awarded about 14 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $37,104 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,959.
See the full music program report for The University Of Texas At Tyler
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #24 among the best music schools. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 42 music students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Kingsville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $56,072 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
Get the full music details for Texas A And M University Kingsville
San Jacinto Community College earned the #25 position for music this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. About 17 music degrees were awarded at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from San Jacinto Community College earn around $38,107 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete this degree.
Get the full music details for San Jacinto Community College
Rest of the Top 34 Music Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong music education:
View All Music Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 34 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.
