2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Music
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
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
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.
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Featured Music Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
MBA in Music Business
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 More
Most Popular Schools for Master’s Students to Study Music in the United States
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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