[College research](/) / [Rankings](/rankings/) # Best Music Programs in North Carolina (2026) Updated September 30, 2026 Part of [Best Art & Design Colleges in North Carolina](/rankings/best-art-and-design-colleges-in-north-carolina/) This page ranks the 9 Music programs in North Carolina by the median earnings of Music graduates four years after completing. [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, reporting median earnings of $58,127 for its Music graduates four years after completing. Across the listed schools, the median earnings figure is $39,633, with a range from $58,127 to $25,774. For 1 of the 9 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The list is predominantly public: 8 of the 9 schools are public, a share of 89%. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranks 50th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and University of North Carolina at Greensboro posts the lowest average net price on the page at $10,965. ## The ranked list 9 schools in list order | Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC | $58,127 | $11,655 | $2,004 | 15.3% | | | [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/majors/) reports [$58,127 in median earnings](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/outcomes/) for its Music graduates four years after completing, the highest on this list, and ranks 50th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | | 2 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $49,761 | $15,435 | $10,357 | 79.6% | | | Admitting 80% of applicants, [University of North Carolina at Charlotte](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/majors/) shows [median earnings of $49,761](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/outcomes/) for its Music graduates four years after completing. | | 3 | Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC | $44,014 | $13,315 | $8,816 | 81.8% | | | [Western Carolina University](/school/western-carolina-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $13,315](/school/western-carolina-university/cost/) and its Music graduates earned a median of $44,014 four years after completing. | | 4 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro · Greensboro, NC | $40,778 | $10,965 | $7,305 | 88.5% | | | [University of North Carolina at Greensboro](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/majors/) carries the lowest average net price on the page at $10,965 and its Music graduates earned a [median of $40,778](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/outcomes/) four years after completing. | | 5 | Catawba College · Salisbury, NC | $39,633 | $17,879 | $13,618 | 75.2% | | | Catawba College, a private nonprofit college in Salisbury, has an average net price of $17,879 and its Music completers who borrowed left with a median of $27,000 in federal loans. | | 6 | East Carolina University · Greenville, NC | $39,029 | $15,739 | $10,046 | 89.2% | | | [East Carolina University](/school/east-carolina-university/majors/) ranks 6th on this list, with [median earnings of $39,029](/school/east-carolina-university/outcomes/) for its Music graduates four years after completing and a median federal debt of $25,500 among Music completers who borrowed. | | 7 | University of North Carolina Asheville · Asheville, NC | $37,484 | $12,250 | $8,219 | 91.9% | | | Graduates across all fields who borrowed from University of North Carolina Asheville left with a median of $20,500 in federal loans, and the school admits 92% of applicants. | | 8 | University of North Carolina School of the Arts · Winston Salem, NC | $34,022 | $14,906 | $3,165 | 30.0% | | | University of North Carolina School of the Arts reports an average net price of $3,165 for families earning under $30,000 and its Music graduates earned a median of $34,022 four years after completing. | | 9 | North Carolina Central University · Durham, NC | $25,774 | $15,359 | $13,032 | 87.0% | | | [North Carolina Central University](/school/north-carolina-central-university/majors/) ranks 9th on this list, with [median earnings of $25,774](/school/north-carolina-central-university/outcomes/) for its Music graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $15,359. | ## 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 North Carolina appear. The figures are medians for federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled. For 1 of the 9 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 who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill leads University of North Carolina at Charlotte by $8,366, and the spread from the top to the bottom of the list is $32,353. ## Related rankings - [Best Music Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-music-programs/) - [Best Colleges in North Carolina](/rankings/best-colleges-in-north-carolina/) - [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/) - [Best Art & Design Colleges in North Carolina](/rankings/best-art-and-design-colleges-in-north-carolina/) - Art & Design Colleges in North Carolina for Social Mobility