by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools in the Great Lakes Region to determine which ones were the best for music students pursuing a master's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 1,111 master's degrees in music to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The music master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality music program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their master's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your master's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for music students working on their master's degree.
When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Music Master's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list to help you make the college decision.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for music students seeking a a master's degree.
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a master's degree in music. Northwestern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Evanston.
Students who graduate with their master's from the music program state that they receive average early career wages of $21,311.
More information about a master’s in music from Northwestern University
Every student who is interested in a master's degree in music needs to check out Michigan State University. Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a very large student population.
Master's recipients from the music degree program at Michigan State University get $12,945 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a master’s in music from Michigan State University
It's difficult to beat University of Michigan - Ann Arbor if you want to pursue a master's degree in music. U-M is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor.
Master's students who receive their degree from the music program earn around $20,068 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a master’s in music from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Every student who is interested in a master's degree in music has to take a look at Indiana University - Bloomington. IU Bloomington is a very large public university located in the city of Bloomington.
After graduating, music master's recipients usually earn an average of $25,007 in their early careers.
More information about a master’s in music from Indiana University - Bloomington
Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Master's students who receive their degree from the music program make about $22,243 in their early career salary.
More information about a master’s in music from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in music from University of Wisconsin - Madison
UC is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Cincinnati.
Soon after graduating, music master's recipients generally make about $22,519 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a master’s in music from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Ohio State is a very large public university located in the large city of Columbus.
Master's recipients from the music program at Ohio State University - Main Campus earn $8,701 more than the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a master’s in music from Ohio State University - Main Campus
Cleveland Institute of Music is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland.
Soon after graduating, music master's recipients usually earn about $19,171 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a master’s in music from Cleveland Institute of Music
OHIO Athens is a fairly large public university located in the distant town of Athens.
Music master's degree recipients from Ohio University - Athens Campus earn a boost of about $9,114 above the average income of music graduates.
More information about a master’s in music from Ohio University - Athens CampusExplore the best music colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .
Music is one of 10 different types of Visual & Performing Arts programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Music Performance | 587 |
| General Music | 237 |
| Music Theory & Composition | 55 |
| Music Pedagogy | 49 |
| Conducting | 34 |
| Stringed Instruments | 30 |
| Voice Performance | 28 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 24 |
| Jazz Studies | 15 |
| Other Music | 14 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 489 |
| Design & Applied Arts | 215 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 200 |
| Arts & Media Management | 160 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 84 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 32 |
| Dance | 22 |
| Other Visual Art | 5 |
| Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry | 1 |
