Compare 60 Music. programs in the West. Average earnings: $29,603.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Music tells a different story. Across 60 programs, earnings range from $33,038 to $50,875—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Biola University's Music program leads with graduates earning $50,875, well above the $29,603 average across all programs. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona follows at $50,200, demonstrating that regional publics compete directly with private institutions in producing strong outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates borrow $16,000 and face just a 7.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
Highest program earnings: $50,875
Strong outcomes with 60% acceptance
7.9% payment burden | Excellent
16.5% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Biola UniversityPrivate | $50,875 | 24 | $23,875 | Good | $50,726 | High |
| #2 | $50,200 | 60 | $16,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #3 | University Of Puget SoundPrivate | $47,904 | 10 | $25,000 | Manageable | $52,058 | High |
| #4 | $46,495 | 42 | $20,000 | Good | $36,000 | High | |
| #5 | $40,840 | 21 | $13,000 | Good | $25,733 | High | |
| #6 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $39,581 | 41 | $19,620 | Manageable | $30,126 | High |
| #7 | $39,528 | 12 | $18,922 | Manageable | $26,150 | High | |
| #8 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityPrivate | $38,274 | 22 | $22,578 | Challenging | $25,000 | High |
| #9 | Montana State UniversityPublic | $37,240 | 8 | $22,500 | Challenging | $25,000 | High |
| #10 | $37,043 | 25 | $19,450 | Challenging | $20,906 | High | |
| #11 | $35,964 | 83 | $20,500 | Challenging | $21,716 | High | |
| #12 | $35,740 | 24 | $22,400 | Challenging | $19,000 | High | |
| #13 | $35,697 | 25 | $21,500 | Challenging | $13,743 | High | |
| #14 | Utah State UniversityPublic | $35,642 | 38 | $14,340 | Manageable | $13,923 | High |
| #15 | $34,711 | 13 | $19,500 | Challenging | $29,968 | High | |
| #16 | University Of UtahPublic | $34,704 | 32 | $19,000 | Challenging | $18,886 | High |
| #17 | $34,625 | 68 | $14,000 | Manageable | $26,176 | High | |
| #18 | $34,258 | 63 | $15,000 | Manageable | $25,565 | High | |
| #19 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $33,946 | 31 | $20,500 | Challenging | $44,954 | High |
| #20 | University Of OregonPublic | $33,038 | 59 | $20,139 | High | $44,405 | High |
| #21 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $32,723 | 68 | $11,069 | Manageable | $9,699 | High |
| #22 | $32,473 | 125 | $13,872 | Challenging | $13,522 | High | |
| #23 | Azusa Pacific UniversityPrivate | $32,216 | 28 | $23,219 | High | $26,000 | High |
| #24 | $31,943 | 19 | $19,000 | High | $23,489 | High | |
| #25 | $31,496 | 32 | $15,000 | Challenging | $16,507 | 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 →
