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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Music

323 Colleges in the United States
6,038 Master's Degrees
$25,197 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on getting your master's degree in music, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #35 in the country in terms of popularity. As a result, there are many colleges that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

In 2022, College Factual analyzed 323 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Music ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 6,038 master's degrees in music during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Music School for Your Master's Degree

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

A high popularity ranking isn't always a sign that a school has a great overall quality ranking for music, but it does mean that many students are choosing the school for some 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
Bachelor'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.

The following list ranks the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master'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 Master's

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193 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IN
#1 Best Quality In IN

Indiana University - Bloomington is a popular option for individuals interested in a master's degree in music. IU Bloomington is a fairly large public university located in the city of Bloomington. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in music in Indiana.

There were about 193 music individuals who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the music program report average early career income of $21,100.

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

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NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
192 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#2 Best Quality In NY

New York University is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in music. Located in the city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in music in New York.

There were approximately 192 music students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's recipients from the music major at New York University get $3,603 more than the typical college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a master’s in music from New York University

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176 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#14 Best Quality In NY

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in music needs to look into Manhattan School of Music. Located in the large city of New York, Manhattan School of Music is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

There were roughly 176 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Manhattan School of Music in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the music program report average early career income of $21,900.

More information about a master’s in music from Manhattan School of Music

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132 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#5 Best Quality In OH

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a popular option for individuals pursuing a master's degree in music. UC is a very large public university located in the city of Cincinnati. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for master's degrees in music in Ohio.

There were roughly 132 music students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, music master's recipients usually make an average of $26,000 in their early careers.

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

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Juilliard crest
The Juilliard School
New York, NY
132 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NY
#8 Best Quality In NY

The Juilliard School is a popular decision for students interested in a master's degree in music. Located in the large city of New York, Juilliard is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #8 in quality for master's degrees in music in New York.

There were roughly 132 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Juilliard in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduating, music master's recipients usually make an average of $19,400 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a master’s in music from The Juilliard School

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129 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#7 Best Quality In MA

Located in the city of Boston, Berklee College of Music is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #7 in quality for master's degrees in music in Massachusetts.

There were about 129 music students who graduated with this degree at Berklee College of Music in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the music program make an average of $21,600 for their early career.

More information about a master’s in music from Berklee College of Music

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Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
124 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CT
#1 Best Quality In CT

Located in the city of New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in music in Connecticut.

There were roughly 124 music students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduation, music master's recipients usually earn about $21,800 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a master’s in music from Yale University

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New School University crest
The New School
New York, NY
121 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In NY
#12 Best Quality In NY

New School University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.

There were about 121 music students who graduated with this degree at New School University in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, music master's recipients usually earn about $19,400 in their early careers.

More information about a master’s in music from The New School

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119 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

The New England Conservatory of Music is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston.

There were about 119 music students who graduated with this degree at The New England Conservatory of Music in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the music program report average early career earnings of $22,500.

More information about a master’s in music from The New England Conservatory of Music

10
103 Annual Master's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In NY
#4 Best Quality In NY

Located in the midsize city of Rochester, University of Rochester is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in music in New York.

There were approximately 103 music students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their master's from the music program state that they receive average early career income of $18,000.

More information about a master’s in music from University of Rochester

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98 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#10 Best Quality In TX

Located in the medium-sized city of Denton, UNT is a public university with a very large student population.

There were approximately 98 music individuals who graduated with this degree at UNT in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the music program state that they receive average early career earnings of $18,900.

More information about a master’s in music from University of North Texas

12
91 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MD
#1 Best Quality In MD

Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in music in Maryland.

There were about 91 music students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year.

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

More information about a master’s in music from Johns Hopkins University

13
85 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MA
#8 Best Quality In MA

Longy is a small private not-for-profit college located in the city of Cambridge. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #8 in quality for master's degrees in music in Massachusetts.

There were roughly 85 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Longy in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in music from Longy School of Music of Bard College

14
81 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#11 Best Quality In CA

SFCM is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco.

There were approximately 81 music individuals who graduated with this degree at SFCM in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the music program state that they receive average early career wages of $24,400.

More information about a master’s in music from San Francisco Conservatory of Music

14
81 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#2 Best Quality In CA

USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in music in California.

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

After graduating, music master's recipients generally make an average of $16,200 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a master’s in music from University of Southern California

16
77 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MI
#1 Best Quality In MI

U-M is a very 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 master's degrees in music in Michigan.

There were about 77 music individuals who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduation, music master's recipients usually earn an average of $20,900 at the beginning of their careers.

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

17
65 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CO
#1 Best Quality In CO

Colorado State is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Fort Collins. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in music in Colorado.

There were roughly 65 music students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State in the most recent year we have data available.

Those music students who get their master's degree from Colorado State University - Fort Collins earn $9,503 more than the average music student.

More information about a master’s in music from Colorado State University - Fort Collins

18
64 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In OH
#4 Best Quality In OH

Cleveland Institute of Music is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Cleveland. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in music in Ohio.

There were about 64 music students who graduated with this degree at Cleveland Institute of Music in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduation, music master's recipients usually earn an average of $19,400 in their early careers.

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

19
61 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MO
#3 Best Quality In MO

UMKC is a large public university located in the city of Kansas City. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in music in Missouri.

There were about 61 music individuals who graduated with this degree at UMKC in the most recent year we have data available.

Music master's degree recipients from University of Missouri - Kansas City receive an earnings boost of approximately $6,803 over the typical earnings of music graduates.

More information about a master’s in music from University of Missouri - Kansas City

19
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
61 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MA
#1 Best Quality In MA

Boston U is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in music in Massachusetts.

There were approximately 61 music students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year.

Those music students who get their master's degree from Boston University earn $2,503 more than the standard music grad.

More information about a master’s in music from Boston University

21
58 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In OH
#6 Best Quality In OH

BGSU is a large public university located in the town of Bowling Green. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in music in Ohio.

There were about 58 music students who graduated with this degree at BGSU in the most recent data year.

Master's students who receive their degree from the music program make an average of $23,400 in their early career salary.

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

22
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
57 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TX
#1 Best Quality In TX

Rice is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Houston. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in music in Texas.

There were approximately 57 music individuals who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's students who receive their degree from the music program earn about $25,900 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a master’s in music from Rice University

22
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
57 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#3 Best Quality In FL

Located in the midsize city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in music in Florida.

There were about 57 music students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the music program make about $19,800 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a master’s in music from Florida State University

24
56 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In CA
#12 Best Quality In CA

Located in the city of Northridge, CSUN is a public university with a very large student population.

There were roughly 56 music individuals who graduated with this degree at CSUN in the most recent data year.

Music master's degree recipients from California State University - Northridge get an earnings boost of around $10,703 over the typical earnings of music majors.

More information about a master’s in music from California State University - Northridge

25
55 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AZ
#1 Best Quality In AZ

ASU - Tempe is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Tempe. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in music in Arizona.

There were about 55 music students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Tempe in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the music program earn around $16,600 in their early career salary.

More information about a master’s in music from Arizona State University - Tempe

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Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
28
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
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UHart crest
University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

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31
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
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38
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
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Messiah crest
Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, PA

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Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
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Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Music award.

Rank College Location
49 University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM
49 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
49 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
49 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
53 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
53 Purchase College Purchase, NY
55 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
55 University of Houston Houston, TX
55 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
55 Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, OK
59 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
59 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
59 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK
59 Queens College Queens, NY
59 Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA
64 Ithaca College Ithaca, NY
64 University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
64 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
64 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
64 Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY

Music by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Music for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 10 majors within the Visual & Performing Arts area of study, Music has other similar majors worth exploring.

Music Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Music Performance 2,269
General Music 1,753
Music Theory & Composition 310
Voice Performance 293
Keyboard Instruments 266
Stringed Instruments 262
Other Music 248
Jazz Studies 168
Conducting 121
Music Pedagogy 101

Majors Similar to Music

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts 3,082
Design & Applied Arts 1,987
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 1,837
Drama & Theater Arts 1,684
Arts & Media Management 1,155
General Visual & Performing Arts 355
Other Visual Art 291
Dance 219
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry 6

Notes and References

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