Compare 330 Music. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $39,196. Top programs: $65,533+.
Music programs produce graduates earning between $11,481 and $65,533—a $54K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 331 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation. The school name on your diploma matters far less than which program you choose.
Topping the list, Sonoma State University's Music program delivers $65,533 in median earnings—well above the $39,148 national average across all 331 programs. That's a California public university outranking the field. Christopher Newport University (Virginia, public) follows at $63,852, and Stevens Institute of Technology rounds out the top three at $61,943. Regional publics dominate the top of this ranking.
Debt burden separates good programs from genuinely smart choices. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Music graduates borrow just $12,950 in student loans and carry a 4.8% payment burden—firmly in the 'Excellent' affordability tier. When parent loans are included, UTRGV still leads with an 8.3% family burden, rated 'Good.' Compare that to Stevens, where the family burden climbs to 30.7%. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $65,533
Strong outcomes ($65,533) with 93% acceptance rate
4.8% payment burden | Excellent — payment under 8% of discretionary
8.3% family burden | Good — payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $65,533 | 33 | $16,705 | Excellent | $27,986 | Manageable |
| #2 | $63,852 | 17 | $25,000 | Good | $44,122 | High | |
| #3 | $61,943 | 21 | $27,000 | Good | $53,192 | High | |
| #4 | University Of FloridaPublic | $61,446 | 46 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Manageable |
| #5 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $60,974 | 40 | $24,250 | Good | $34,984 | Challenging |
| #6 | $60,172 | 29 | $18,000 | Excellent | $11,916 | Good | |
| #7 | University Of RedlandsPrivate | $59,275 | 26 | $26,000 | Good | $28,208 | Challenging |
| #8 | $59,218 | 48 | $12,950 | Excellent | $8,107 | Good | |
| #9 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $59,217 | 44 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Challenging |
| #10 | $59,198 | 67 | $17,527 | Excellent | $12,313 | Good | |
| #11 | $58,743 | 48 | $21,983 | Good | $19,433 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $58,127 | 40 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Manageable | |
| #13 | $58,071 | 26 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $57,117 | 32 | $22,934 | Good | $14,224 | Manageable | |
| #15 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $57,043 | 59 | $21,500 | Good | $23,443 | Challenging |
| #16 | Texas Woman's UniversityPublic | $56,884 | 24 | $19,218 | Excellent | $13,471 | Manageable |
| #17 | Hofstra UniversityPrivate | $56,847 | 11 | $23,621 | Good | $56,149 | High |
| #18 | $56,671 | 21 | $19,606 | Excellent | $17,125 | Manageable | |
| #19 | University Of HoustonPublic | $56,667 | 77 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Manageable |
| #20 | $56,104 | 35 | $21,500 | Good | $35,324 | High | |
| #21 | $56,008 | 44 | $21,500 | Good | $25,294 | Challenging | |
| #22 | $55,705 | 227 | $19,250 | Excellent | $23,211 | Challenging | |
| #23 | Monmouth UniversityPrivate | $55,526 | 26 | $27,000 | Good | $49,390 | High |
| #24 | $55,438 | 48 | $20,500 | Good | $15,265 | Manageable | |
| #25 | $55,161 | 38 | $19,450 | Good | $20,906 | Challenging |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
