Compare 46 Music Management. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $36,175. Top programs: $62,966+.
The highest-earning Music Management program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $26K earnings gap across 46 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
The New School's Music Management program leads with graduates earning $62,966, well above the field's $36,175 average. Syracuse University follows at $57,823, while Wagner College rounds out the top three at $55,907—showing that specialized programs can compete regardless of overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. The New School graduates borrow $22,266 and face just a 7.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Meanwhile, Syracuse offers the best family value with a 27.9% combined burden when parent loans are included.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The New SchoolPrivate | $62,966 | 166 | $22,266 | Excellent | $57,040 | High |
| #2 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $57,823 | 40 | $26,000 | Good | $39,841 | High |
| #3 | Wagner CollegePrivate | $55,907 | 22 | $25,000 | Good | $53,829 | High |
| #4 | Rider UniversityPrivate | $49,376 | 9 | $26,130 | Manageable | $44,670 | High |
| #5 | University Of New HavenPrivate | $48,429 | 26 | $27,000 | Manageable | $54,414 | High |
| #6 | Berklee College Of MusicPrivate | $48,329 | 167 | $25,000 | Manageable | $87,996 | High |
| #7 | $47,906 | 55 | $19,509 | Good | $32,850 | High | |
| #8 | Pace UniversityPrivate | $47,863 | 69 | $23,250 | Manageable | $46,275 | High |
| #9 | $47,858 | 81 | $18,000 | Good | $31,803 | High | |
| #10 | $44,571 | 27 | $20,231 | Manageable | $21,919 | High | |
| #11 | Belmont UniversityPrivate | $43,117 | 504 | $20,500 | Manageable | $72,092 | High |
| #12 | Suny OneontaPublic | $41,818 | 59 | $19,812 | Manageable | $24,845 | High |
| #13 | Elmhurst UniversityPrivate | $39,691 | 21 | $20,489 | Manageable | $27,470 | High |
| #14 | University Of The ArtsPrivate | $39,661 | 49 | $27,000 | Challenging | $71,040 | High |
| #15 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $39,325 | 100 | $25,325 | Challenging | $40,932 | High |
| #16 | College Of CharlestonPublic | $38,817 | 82 | $23,250 | Challenging | $35,971 | High |
| #17 | University Of KentuckyPublic | $38,471 | 26 | $22,500 | Challenging | $30,006 | High |
| #18 | $38,153 | 57 | $26,000 | Challenging | $27,371 | High | |
| #19 | Suny At Purchase CollegePublic | $37,714 | 48 | $21,067 | Challenging | $30,798 | High |
| #20 | Suny College At PotsdamPublic | $36,899 | 19 | $24,250 | Challenging | $19,000 | High |
| #21 | $36,250 | 13 | $21,503 | Challenging | $14,012 | High | |
| #22 | $35,951 | 36 | $22,077 | Challenging | $18,000 | High | |
| #23 | Columbia College ChicagoPrivate | $35,756 | 106 | $25,000 | High | $55,700 | High |
| #24 | Ferris State UniversityPublic | $35,585 | 20 | $21,000 | Challenging | $14,849 | High |
| #25 | Howard UniversityPrivate | $34,772 | 18 | $24,500 | High | $58,682 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
