[College research](/) / [Rankings](/rankings/)

# Best Music Programs in Massachusetts (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

This page ranks the 8 Music programs in Massachusetts by the median earnings of Music graduates four years after completing. [Northeastern University](/school/northeastern-university/majors/) leads the list at $60,974, followed by [University of Massachusetts-Lowell](/school/university-of-massachusetts-lowell/majors/) at $53,384.

Across the listed schools, median earnings range from $60,974 to $26,985, with a median of $39,022.

The list splits evenly between 4 public and 4 private nonprofit institutions. University of Massachusetts-Lowell ranks 142nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, the strongest showing on the page. Salem State University posts the lowest average net price at $15,996.

## The ranked list

8 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Northeastern University · Boston, MA | $60,974 | $30,915 | $2,264 | 5.2% |
|  | [Northeastern University](/school/northeastern-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $60,974](/school/northeastern-university/outcomes/) for its Music graduates four years after completing, the highest on this list. |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell · Lowell, MA | $53,384 | $17,163 | $9,943 | 83.0% |
|  | [University of Massachusetts-Lowell](/school/university-of-massachusetts-lowell/majors/) [admits 83% of applicants](/school/university-of-massachusetts-lowell/admissions/) and its Music graduates earn a median of $53,384 four years after completing. |
| 3 | Westfield State University · Westfield, MA | $39,692 | $16,721 | $10,751 | 81.4% |
|  | With an [average net price of $16,721,](/school/westfield-state-university/cost/) [Westfield State University](/school/westfield-state-university/majors/) ranks 3rd on this list and shows median earnings of $39,692 for its Music graduates four years after completing. |
| 4 | Boston University · Boston, MA | $39,426 | $24,402 | $9,500 | 11.1% |
|  | [Boston University](/school/boston-university/majors/) carries a [median federal debt of $27,000](/school/boston-university/cost/) among Music completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $39,426 four years after completing. |
| 5 | Berklee College of Music · Boston, MA | $38,617 | $49,465 | $42,734 | 43.5% |
|  | Berklee College of Music posts median earnings of $38,617 for its Music graduates four years after completing, drawn from an earnings cohort of 656 graduates. |
| 6 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst · Amherst, MA | $33,993 | $22,383 | $10,164 | 59.7% |
|  | [University of Massachusetts-Amherst](/school/university-of-massachusetts-amherst/majors/) [ranks 145th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-massachusetts-amherst/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $33,993 for its Music graduates four years after completing. |
| 7 | Salem State University · Salem, MA | $29,520 | $15,996 | $10,516 | 95.9% |
|  | [Salem State University](/school/salem-state-university/majors/) has an [average net price of $15,996,](/school/salem-state-university/cost/) the lowest on the list, and its Music graduates earn a median of $29,520 four years after completing. |
| 8 | The New England Conservatory of Music · Boston, MA | $26,985 | $46,754 | $47,882 | 41.1% |
|  | The New England Conservatory of Music reports median earnings of $26,985 for its Music graduates four years after completing and carries a median federal debt of $26,983 among Music completers who borrowed. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Music graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in Massachusetts appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 2 of the 8 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or differences in who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 8 schools with a published figure. Northeastern University leads University of Massachusetts-Lowell by $7,590, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $33,989.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Music Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-music-programs/)
-   [Best Colleges in Massachusetts](/rankings/best-colleges-in-massachusetts/)
-   [Top Music Programs in California by Earnings](/rankings/best-music-programs-in-california/)
-   [Top Music Programs in Florida by Earnings](/rankings/best-music-programs-in-florida/)
-   [Top Music Programs in New York by Earnings](/rankings/best-music-programs-in-new-york/)
-   [Top Music Programs in Michigan by Earnings](/rankings/best-music-programs-in-michigan/)
-   Art & Design Colleges in Massachusetts for Social Mobility
-   Art & Design Colleges in Massachusetts