Top Music Programs in the Midwest by Earnings (2026)
Updated
Part of Best Art & Design Colleges in the Midwest
Regional list from Best Music Programs in the United States
This page ranks 76 Music programs in the Midwest by median earnings of Music graduates four years after completing. Illinois State University leads the list with median earnings of $54,767 four years after completing, followed by Northwestern University at $53,875 and Michigan State University at $52,132.
Across the listed schools, the median figure is $40,615, with a spread of $41,065 from $54,767 to $13,702. For 21 of the 76 programs the earnings figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions make up 63% of the list, with 48 public and 28 private nonprofit schools represented. Indiana State University posts the lowest average net price at $10,873.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks 16th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois State University · Normal, IL | $54,767 | $19,398 | $11,568 | 88.2% |
| Illinois State University ranks 1st on this list, reporting median earnings of $54,767 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 2 | Northwestern University · Evanston, IL | $53,875 | $29,167 | $1,764 | 7.7% |
| A private nonprofit university in Evanston, Northwestern University admits 8% of applicants and posts median earnings of $53,875 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 3 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $52,132 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
| Michigan State University's Music graduates four years after completing earned a median of $52,132, and the median federal debt among Music completers who borrowed was $26,750. | |||||
| 4 | Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH | $51,310 | $17,339 | $4,885 | 60.6% |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus reports an average net price of $17,339 and median earnings of $51,310 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 5 | Luther College · Decorah, IA | $50,947 | $23,097 | $12,517 | 71.5% |
| Luther College ranks 1262nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows median earnings of $50,947 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | Miami University-Oxford · Oxford, OH | $50,680 | $28,384 | $16,015 | 75.4% |
| Miami University-Oxford's Music graduates four years after completing earned a median of $50,680, with a cohort of 23 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 7 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, IL | $50,544 | $14,355 | $2,038 | 42.4% |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign admits 42% of applicants and its Music graduates four years after completing earned a median of $50,544. | |||||
| 8 | Wayne State University · Detroit, MI | $50,340 | $12,766 | $11,090 | 81.2% |
| Wayne State University reports median earnings of $50,340 for its Music graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $12,766. | |||||
| 9 | University of Iowa · Iowa City, IA | $50,180 | $22,531 | $15,316 | 83.6% |
| University of Iowa's Music graduates four years after completing earned a median of $50,180, and the median federal debt among Music completers who borrowed was $27,000. | |||||
| 10 | Indiana State University · Terre Haute, IN | $49,711 | $10,873 | $6,455 | 80.8% |
| Indiana State University carries the lowest average net price on the page at $10,873 and reports median earnings of $49,711 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 11 | Eastern Illinois University · Charleston, IL | $49,236 | $12,786 | $9,828 | 65.4% |
| Eastern Illinois University ranks 585th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with median earnings of $49,236 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 12 | Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI | $49,111 | $16,317 | $12,272 | 83.0% |
| Grand Valley State University's Music graduates four years after completing earned a median of $49,111, and the school reports an average net price of $16,317. | |||||
| 13 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln · Lincoln, NE | $47,990 | $17,747 | $12,751 | 87.5% |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln reports median earnings of $47,990 for its Music graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $12,751 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 14 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire · Eau Claire, WI | $47,079 | $16,550 | $10,270 | 82.3% |
| Admitting 82% of applicants, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire shows median federal debt of $25,557 among its Music completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 15 | North Central College · Naperville, IL | $46,744 | $21,044 | $12,507 | 77.3% |
| A private nonprofit institution in Naperville, North Central College ranks 15th on this list with a cohort of 5 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 16 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville · Edwardsville, IL | $46,196 | $14,889 | $8,483 | 97.5% |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville posts median earnings of $46,196 for its Music graduates four years after completing and ranks 246th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 17 | University of Northwestern-St Paul · Saint Paul, MN | $46,177 | $27,705 | $26,696 | 93.5% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed from University of Northwestern-St Paul left with a median of $21,325 in federal loans, and the school reports an average net price of $27,705. | |||||
| 18 | University of Minnesota-Duluth · Duluth, MN | $45,834 | $18,743 | $7,256 | 88.8% |
| University of Minnesota-Duluth reports median earnings of $45,834 for its Music graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $7,256 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 19 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus · Fargo, ND | $45,578 | $15,543 | $9,370 | 95.0% |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus admits 95% of applicants and its graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $23,199 in federal loans. | |||||
| 20 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater · Whitewater, WI | $45,306 | $14,158 | $8,440 | 85.7% |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ranks 20th on this list, with median earnings of $45,306 for its Music graduates four years after completing and a cohort of 36. | |||||
| 21 | DePaul University · Chicago, IL | $44,756 | $30,902 | $27,359 | 75.9% |
| DePaul University reports an average net price of $27,359 for families earning under $30,000, and its Music completers who borrowed left with a median of $22,379 in federal loans. | |||||
| 22 | Ohio University-Main Campus · Athens, OH | $44,593 | $21,637 | $15,673 | 85.0% |
| Ohio University-Main Campus posts median earnings of $44,593 for its Music graduates four years after completing and ranks 325th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 23 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Bowling Green, OH | $44,037 | $24,022 | $18,396 | 81.0% |
| Bowling Green State University-Main Campus admits 81% of applicants, and its Music completers who borrowed left with a median of $27,000 in federal loans. | |||||
| 24 | Wright State University-Main Campus · Dayton, OH | $43,884 | $15,415 | $11,952 | 96.3% |
| Wright State University-Main Campus reports median earnings of $43,884 for its Music graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $11,952 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 25 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI | $43,777 | $13,138 | $1,043 | 15.6% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor reports $43,777 in median earnings for its Music graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $1,043 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 26 | Millikin University · Decatur, IL | $43,388 | $21,989 | $18,659 | 66.7% |
| Millikin University ranks 26th on this list, with a median of $26,996 in federal debt among Music completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 27 | Lawrence University · Appleton, WI | $43,385 | $23,401 | $10,419 | 63.9% |
| Lawrence University admits 64% of applicants and posts median earnings of $43,385 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 28 | Oberlin College · Oberlin, OH | $43,343 | $38,645 | $18,774 | 34.2% |
| Oberlin College carries an average net price of $38,645, and its 140-graduate earnings cohort reports median earnings of $43,343 four years after completing. | |||||
| 29 | Kent State University at Kent · Kent, OH | $43,222 | $20,787 | $15,280 | 86.3% |
| Kent State University at Kent ranks 415th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $43,222 in median earnings for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 30 | Capital University · Columbus, OH | $43,125 | $22,576 | $19,062 | 70.2% |
| Capital University shows a median of $27,000 in federal debt among Music completers who borrowed, with an admission rate of 70%. | |||||
| 31 | Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI | $43,089 | $17,597 | $12,185 | 89.8% |
| Central Michigan University reports $43,089 in median earnings for its Music graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $12,185 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 32 | University of Nebraska at Omaha · Omaha, NE | $42,768 | $13,441 | $10,534 | 87.0% |
| University of Nebraska at Omaha ranks 186th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $19,000 in federal loans. | |||||
| 33 | University of Missouri-Kansas City · Kansas City, MO | $42,708 | $13,310 | $10,576 | 72.2% |
| With an admission rate of 72%, University of Missouri-Kansas City carries an average net price of $13,310. | |||||
| 34 | University of Central Missouri · Warrensburg, MO | $42,610 | $14,462 | $10,965 | 63.8% |
| University of Central Missouri reports $42,610 in median earnings for its Music graduates four years after completing, with a 15-graduate earnings cohort. | |||||
| 35 | St Olaf College · Northfield, MN | $42,439 | $23,874 | $10,404 | 48.3% |
| St Olaf College ranks 35th on this list, and its Music completers who borrowed left with a median of $23,500 in federal debt. | |||||
| 36 | Drake University · Des Moines, IA | $42,233 | $29,127 | $25,824 | 63.9% |
| Drake University shows an average net price of $25,824 for families earning under $30,000, and graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $23,000 in federal loans. | |||||
| 37 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · Minneapolis, MN | $42,232 | $16,778 | $6,642 | 79.8% |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities reports median earnings of $42,232 for its Music graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $16,778. | |||||
| 38 | Columbia College Chicago · Chicago, IL | $40,734 | $26,598 | $20,924 | 89.5% |
| Columbia College Chicago admits 89% of applicants and its Music graduates earn a median of $40,734 four years after completing. | |||||
| 39 | University of Missouri-St Louis · Saint Louis, MO | $40,496 | $15,071 | $13,031 | 62.7% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at University of Missouri-St Louis left with a median of $20,000 in federal loans, and the school ranks 483rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 40 | Northern Illinois University · Dekalb, IL | $40,398 | $13,391 | $10,126 | 69.8% |
| Northern Illinois University ranks 40th on this list, with an average net price of $10,126 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 41 | Wheaton College · Wheaton, IL | $40,329 | $26,975 | $20,001 | 87.4% |
| Wheaton College reports median earnings of $40,329 for its Music graduates four years after completing, from a cohort of 30 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 42 | Western Illinois University · Macomb, IL | $39,609 | $12,937 | $6,941 | 71.2% |
| Western Illinois University, a public university in Macomb, shows an admission rate of 71% and median earnings of $39,609 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 43 | DePauw University · Greencastle, IN | $39,430 | $22,264 | $11,820 | 57.2% |
| DePauw University reports an average net price of $11,820 for families earning under $30,000, and its Music graduates earn a median of $39,430 four years after completing. | |||||
| 44 | University of Missouri-Columbia · Columbia, MO | $39,241 | $20,268 | $13,841 | 78.5% |
| University of Missouri-Columbia ranks 144th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Music graduates earn a median of $39,241 four years after completing. | |||||
| 45 | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse · La Crosse, WI | $39,009 | $16,210 | $8,224 | 75.5% |
| An average net price of $16,210 coincides with median earnings of $39,009 for Music graduates of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse four years after completing. | |||||
| 46 | Purdue University Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne, IN | $38,682 | $13,171 | $8,306 | 83.9% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Purdue University Fort Wayne left with a median of $21,500 in federal loans, and the school admits 84% of applicants. | |||||
| 47 | Ball State University · Muncie, IN | $37,997 | $14,940 | $7,834 | 85.5% |
| Ball State University reports median earnings of $37,997 for its Music graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $7,834 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 48 | Baldwin Wallace University · Berea, OH | $37,682 | $27,603 | $21,296 | 75.7% |
| Baldwin Wallace University ranks 48th on this list, with an admission rate of 76% and median earnings of $37,682 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 49 | Cleveland Institute of Music · Cleveland, OH | $37,656 | $28,226 | $23,782 | 47.3% |
| Cleveland Institute of Music, a private nonprofit institution in Cleveland, reports median earnings of $37,656 for its Music graduates four years after completing, alongside a median federal debt of $25,500 among Music completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 50 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee · Milwaukee, WI | $37,616 | $15,014 | $10,329 | 90.7% |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee admits 91% of applicants and posts median earnings of $37,616 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 51 | Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI | $36,254 | $15,273 | $5,263 | 84.6% |
| Western Michigan University ranks 51st on this list, with an average net price of $5,263 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 52 | Missouri State University-Springfield · Springfield, MO | $32,984 | $17,613 | $13,718 | 90.5% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left Missouri State University-Springfield with a median of $21,992 in federal loans, and its Music graduates earned a median of $32,984 four years after completing. | |||||
| 53 | University of Nebraska at Kearney · Kearney, NE | $32,925 | $16,242 | $13,066 | 89.5% |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney ranks 443rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $32,925 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 54 | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay · Green Bay, WI | $32,925 | $13,369 | $9,144 | 88.6% |
| An average net price of $13,369 and median earnings of $32,925 for its Music graduates four years after completing are reported by University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. | |||||
| 55 | Valparaiso University · Valparaiso, IN | $32,925 | $18,578 | $11,043 | 89.4% |
| Valparaiso University admits 89% of applicants and its Music graduates earned a median of $32,925 four years after completing. | |||||
| 56 | Elmhurst University · Elmhurst, IL | $32,448 | $24,185 | $17,892 | 73.6% |
| Elmhurst University ranks 56th on this list, with a median federal debt of $27,250 among Music completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 57 | Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN | $30,771 | $11,668 | $5,701 | 76.4% |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis reports an average net price of $5,701 for families earning under $30,000 and median earnings of $30,771 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 58 | Cleveland State University · Cleveland, OH | $29,842 | $14,764 | $11,958 | 91.3% |
| Cleveland State University ranks 211th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Music completers who borrowed left with a median of $26,645 in federal loans. | |||||
| 59 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville · Platteville, WI | $29,685 | $16,032 | $9,009 | 89.4% |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville admits 89% of applicants and reports an average net price of $16,032. | |||||
| 60 | Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN | $28,727 | $16,264 | $6,324 | 78.2% |
| Indiana University-Bloomington reports median earnings of $28,727 for its Music graduates four years after completing, with a median federal debt of $20,539 among Music completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 61 | University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI | $28,236 | $17,354 | $4,200 | 45.2% |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison reports median earnings of $28,236 for its Music graduates four years after completing, with 42 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 62 | Illinois Wesleyan University · Bloomington, IL | $27,439 | $28,199 | $17,732 | 39.3% |
| A private nonprofit university in Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University admits 39% of applicants and shows an average net price of $28,199. | |||||
| 63 | Gustavus Adolphus College · Saint Peter, MN | $26,353 | $22,900 | $12,015 | 61.0% |
| Gustavus Adolphus College ranks 63rd on this list and holds an Azimuth composite rank of 1038th among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 64 | University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne, IN | $25,967 | $18,196 | $12,720 | 96.0% |
| University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne posts an average net price of $12,720 for families earning under $30,000, alongside median earnings of $25,967 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 65 | University of Northern Iowa · Cedar Falls, IA | $25,194 | $15,901 | $10,863 | 92.7% |
| With an admission rate of 93%, University of Northern Iowa reports median earnings of $25,194 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 66 | Goshen College · Goshen, IN | $25,194 | $14,493 | $12,761 | 84.1% |
| Goshen College ranks 66th on this list, with an average net price of $14,493 and 9 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 67 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point · Stevens Point, WI | $24,421 | $14,559 | $8,833 | 91.8% |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point reports median earnings of $24,421 for its Music graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $8,833 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 68 | Carthage College · Kenosha, WI | $24,421 | $26,565 | $23,293 | 87.1% |
| Carthage College holds an Azimuth composite rank of 1158th among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $24,421 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 69 | Roosevelt University · Chicago, IL | $24,232 | $20,194 | $18,018 | 97.2% |
| Roosevelt University reports median earnings of $24,232 for its Music graduates four years after completing, with a median federal debt of $27,000 among Music completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 70 | Cedarville University · Cedarville, OH | $23,649 | $24,468 | $18,987 | 65.3% |
| Cedarville University admits 65% of applicants and posts an average net price of $18,987 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 71 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale · Carbondale, IL | $23,351 | $13,297 | $9,415 | 86.9% |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale ranks 71st on this list and reports median earnings of $23,351 for its Music graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 72 | Otterbein University · Westerville, OH | $22,999 | $19,237 | $12,458 | 84.5% |
| Otterbein University holds an Azimuth composite rank of 1078th among nonprofit four-year institutions and admits 85% of applicants. | |||||
| 73 | Wichita State University · Wichita, KS | $22,806 | $13,194 | $9,734 | 94.0% |
| Wichita State University reports median earnings of $22,806 for its Music graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 13. | |||||
| 74 | Webster University · Saint Louis, MO | $22,192 | $27,047 | $22,359 | 86.2% |
| Webster University, a private nonprofit university in Saint Louis, has an average net price of $27,047 and an admission rate of 86%. | |||||
| 75 | Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion · Marion, IN | $21,508 | $22,866 | $19,793 | 88.9% |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion ranks 75th on this list and shows an average net price of $19,793 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 76 | University of Akron Main Campus · Akron, OH | $13,702 | $13,946 | $10,413 | 59.7% |
| University of Akron Main Campus posts median earnings of $13,702 for its Music graduates four years after completing and admits 60% of applicants. | |||||
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 the Midwest appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 21 of the 76 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. Illinois State University leads Northwestern University by a gap of $892, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $41,065.