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2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Music in the Great Lakes Region

178 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
2,336 Bachelor's Degrees
$24,989 Avg Early-Career Salary
A bachelor's degree in music is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #34 out of 338 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. As a result, there are many colleges that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

College Factual reviewed 178 schools in the Great Lakes Region to determine which ones were the most popular for bachelor's degree seekers in the field of music. Combined, these schools handed out 2,336 bachelor's degrees in music to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Music School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Music in the Great Lakes Region Your choice of school for getting your bachelor's degree in music matters. We created our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Music in the Great Lakes Region ranking to make it a little easier to choose the right one for you.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of music students usually has them for a reason. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Associate Degrees in Music
Master's Degrees in Music
Doctor's Degrees in Music
Overall Popularity in Music

This is not our only ranking, nor the only degree level we have ranked. In addition to this ranking, you may want to take at the rankings for different degree levels as called out above. You can also narrow your search by location by filtering for a certain area of the country. Plus, you can view our other rankings for music.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

The following list ranks the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in music. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Music Students Working on Their Bachelor's

1
140 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IN
#3 Best Quality In IN

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Indiana University - Bloomington if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in music. IU Bloomington is a very large public university located in the city of Bloomington. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Indiana.

There were approximately 140 music students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the music program earn an average of $16,100 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Indiana University - Bloomington

2
Oberlin crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH
133 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#1 Best Quality In OH

Oberlin College is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in music. Located in the fringe town of Oberlin, Oberlin is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Ohio.

There were roughly 133 music students who graduated with this degree at Oberlin in the most recent data year.

After graduating, music bachelor's recipients usually make an average of $17,600 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Oberlin College

3
98 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

Any student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in music has to check out Northwestern University. Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Evanston. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Illinois.

There were roughly 98 music students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the music program report average early career wages of $22,400.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Northwestern University

4
81 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MI
#1 Best Quality In MI

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in music. U-M is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Michigan.

There were roughly 81 music individuals who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the music program report average early career earnings of $21,700.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

5
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
65 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MI
#2 Best Quality In MI

Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Michigan.

There were about 65 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the music degree program at Michigan State University get $13,111 more than the standard college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Michigan State University

6
56 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#23 Best Quality In IL

Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

There were roughly 56 music students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the music program report average early career earnings of $18,200.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Columbia College Chicago

7
55 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In OH
#15 Best Quality In OH

Cleveland Institute of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Cleveland.

There were roughly 55 music students who graduated with this degree at Cleveland Institute of Music in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Cleveland Institute of Music

8
51 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In IL
#4 Best Quality In IL

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Illinois.

There were roughly 51 music students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

9
44 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WI
#4 Best Quality In WI

Located in the small city of Eau Claire, UW - Eau Claire is a public university with a large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Wisconsin.

There were approximately 44 music individuals who graduated with this degree at UW - Eau Claire in the most recent data year.

Music bachelor's degree recipients from University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire earn a boost of about $11,411 over the average income of music graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

10
43 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In OH
#10 Best Quality In OH

UC is a very large public university located in the city of Cincinnati.

There were roughly 43 music students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

10
43 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MI
#5 Best Quality In MI

Located in the small city of Kalamazoo, WMU is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Michigan.

There were approximately 43 music individuals who graduated with this degree at WMU in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Western Michigan University

12
42 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MI
#7 Best Quality In MI

Wayne State is a very large public university located in the large city of Detroit. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #7 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Michigan.

There were approximately 42 music students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's recipients from the music program at Wayne State University make $4,411 above the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Wayne State University

12
42 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In IL
#5 Best Quality In IL

Located in the midsize suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Illinois.

There were about 42 music students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's recipients from the music program at Illinois State University make $10,011 above the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Illinois State University

14
Capital crest
Capital University
Columbus, OH
41 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In OH
#11 Best Quality In OH

Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were about 41 music students who graduated with this degree at Capital in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the music program state that they receive average early career earnings of $21,000.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Capital University

15
Lawrence U crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI
38 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In WI
#3 Best Quality In WI

Lawrence U is a small private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Appleton. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Wisconsin.

There were about 38 music students who graduated with this degree at Lawrence U in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the music program make around $23,700 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Lawrence University

15
38 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In IL
#7 Best Quality In IL

WIU is a medium-sized public university located in the remote town of Macomb. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #7 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Illinois.

There were roughly 38 music students who graduated with this degree at WIU in the most recent year we have data available.

Music bachelor's degree recipients from Western Illinois University get an earnings boost of around $8,311 above the typical income of music majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Western Illinois University

17
37 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#6 Most Popular In IL
#14 Best Quality In IL

NIU is a large public university located in the small suburb of Dekalb.

There were approximately 37 music students who graduated with this degree at NIU in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Northern Illinois University

18
36 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In MI
#3 Best Quality In MI

GVSU is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Allendale. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Michigan.

There were about 36 music students who graduated with this degree at GVSU in the most recent data year.

Those music students who get their bachelor's degree from Grand Valley State University receive $8,411 more than the average music grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Grand Valley State University

19
35 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In OH
#17 Best Quality In OH

OHIO Athens is a very large public university located in the distant town of Athens.

There were about 35 music individuals who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent year we have data available.

Music bachelor's degree recipients from Ohio University - Athens Campus receive an earnings boost of about $6,911 above the average earnings of music majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Ohio University - Athens Campus

20
34 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#6 Most Popular In OH
#18 Best Quality In OH

BGSU is a large public university located in the town of Bowling Green.

There were roughly 34 music individuals who graduated with this degree at BGSU in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

21
30 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#7 Most Popular In IL
#12 Best Quality In IL

Millikin is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Decatur.

There were approximately 30 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Millikin in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the music program make an average of $17,200 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Millikin University

22
28 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In WI
#14 Best Quality In WI

Located in the large city of Milwaukee, UWM is a public university with a fairly large student population.

There were approximately 28 music individuals who graduated with this degree at UWM in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

23
27 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In WI
#1 Best Quality In WI

Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in music in Wisconsin.

There were approximately 27 music students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Wisconsin - Madison

23
Butler crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN
27 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Butler is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Indianapolis.

There were about 27 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Butler in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Butler University

23
27 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#8 Most Popular In IL
#28 Best Quality In IL

Located in the large city of Chicago, Roosevelt is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

There were about 27 music students who graduated with this degree at Roosevelt in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the music program make about $13,000 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in music from Roosevelt University

26
DePauw crest
DePauw University
Greencastle, IN
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26
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
26
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Music students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Music in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
31 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
31 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH
33 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL
33 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH
33 Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OH

Best Music Colleges by State

Explore the most popular music colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 255 425
Ohio 246 650
Illinois 231 681
Indiana 227 382
Wisconsin 209 257

View All Rankings >

Music is one of 10 different types of Visual & Performing Arts programs to choose from.

Music Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Music 988
Music Performance 864
Other Music 105
Music Technology 79
Music Theory & Composition 70
Jazz Studies 64
Voice Performance 62
Music Pedagogy 45
Stringed Instruments 28
Keyboard Instruments 14

Majors Similar to Music

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts 3,805
Design & Applied Arts 3,166
Drama & Theater Arts 2,084
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 1,384
Arts & Media Management 424
Dance 329
General Visual & Performing Arts 221
Other Visual Art 112
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry 21

Notes and References

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