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2027 Best Music Schools in the The Plains States Region

26 Colleges in the United States
917 Music Degrees Awarded
$41,761 Avg Early-Career Salary

Music programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their music programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools to find the best for music students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Music in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall music education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Music

1

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in music. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 73 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $28,677. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full music program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2

Students looking for a strong music program will find one at Gustavus Adolphus College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 music students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Gustavus Adolphus College earn around $44,396 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,197. More information about a degree in music from Gustavus Adolphus College

3

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 58 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $35,939. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from University Of Missouri Columbia

4
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in music, landing the #4 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. St Olaf College graduates 84% of students within six years. St Olaf College awarded about 19 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from St Olaf College earn around $24,732 in the first couple years of their career. St Olaf College graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Get the full music details for St Olaf College

5

Iowa State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 17 music degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from Iowa State University earn around $54,204 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,496. See the full music program report for Iowa State University

6

University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #6 for music this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kearney. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 13 music degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn around $46,744 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Nebraska At Kearney graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from University Of Nebraska At Kearney

7

University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #7 for music this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 12 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Read more about the music program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota

8
Luther College crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA

Luther College placed #8 among the best music schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Decorah. Luther College graduates 71% of students within six years. Luther College awarded about 33 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Luther College earn a median of $45,367 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full music details for Luther College

9

Kansas State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 30 music degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,543. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete this degree. See the full music program report for Kansas State University

10

University Of Northern Iowa earned the #10 position for music this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 21 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Northern Iowa earn around $32,175 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full music details for University Of Northern Iowa

11

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #11 for music this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 61 music degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Music graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $48,098 early in their careers. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $25,373 in student loans. See the full music program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

12

Pittsburg State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Pittsburg State University graduates 51% of students within six years. About 14 music degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Music graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Pittsburg State University graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. More information about a degree in music from Pittsburg State University

13

University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #13 among the best music schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 music degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Minnesota Duluth earn around $31,780 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,427 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from University Of Minnesota Duluth

14

University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 107 music degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Graduates of the music program make about $32,144 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,089. Read more about the music program at University Of Missouri Kansas City

15

University Of South Dakota placed #15 among the best music schools. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. University Of South Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. University Of South Dakota awarded about 24 music degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, music degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $46,183. Typical student debt for the program is $26,322. Read more about the music program at University Of South Dakota

16

University Of Central Missouri came in at #16 for music this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Central Missouri awarded about 23 music degrees in the most recent data year. Music graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $30,321 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for University Of Central Missouri

17
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #17 spot for music this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 90 music students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Kansas earn around $31,244 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from University Of Kansas

18

North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for music this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 music students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $54,076 in their early career. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Get the full music details for North Dakota State University Main Campus

19
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University placed #19 among the best music schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Kirksville. About 68% of students finish within six years. Truman State University awarded about 23 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Truman State University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Truman State University graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. See the full music program report for Truman State University

20
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #20 spot for music this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 97 music degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Music graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $41,656 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $27,783 in student loans. Get the full music details for University Of Iowa

21

Valley City State University placed #21 among the best music schools. Valley City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Valley City. Valley City State University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 music students who graduated with this degree at Valley City State University in the most recent data year. Music graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,074 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in music from Valley City State University

22

Wichita State University came in at #22 for music this year. This large public university is located in the city of Wichita. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 46 music students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from Wichita State University earn around $49,278 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete this degree. Read more about the music program at Wichita State University

23
Evangel University crest
Evangel University
Springfield, MO

Evangel University came in at #23 for music this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 12 music students who graduated with this degree at Evangel University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the music program make about $42,039 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,876. Read more about the music program at Evangel University

24

Concordia College At Moorhead earned the #24 position for music this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 music degrees were awarded at Concordia College At Moorhead in the most recent year. Students who receive their music degree from Concordia College At Moorhead earn around $44,611 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full music program report for Concordia College At Moorhead

25

University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best music schools. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Nebraska At Omaha awarded about 31 music degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their music degree from University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn around $20,881 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete this degree. Get the full music details for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Rest of the Top 26 Music Schools

These schools also placed among the best for music this year:

26

View All Music Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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