1
Rank 1
Top pickMessiah University
Music · Master's Degree · PA
- Median earnings, 1 yr
- $66,907
- Median debt
- n/a
- School completion
- 78%
- Net price
- $25,955
Christian Colleges
Best Christian Colleges for Music Programs of 2026
Messiah University's music program has the highest median earnings on this list at $66,907 one year after graduation, among 22 Christian colleges with a music program. One program per school is shown, ordered by program earnings.
We may earn a fee from the schools on this page, which can affect how they are placed.
Partner placement can affect which schools appear in the featured offer. It does not change the editorial ranking order.
Updated Oct 15, 2026
We rechecked the figures on this page against the College Scorecard release dated Oct 15, 2026, confirmed each school is ordered only by the metric named in the ranking, and confirmed a sponsorship does not change that order.Featured schools
SponsoredThese schools paid to appear here. We may earn a fee if you click or request information. Paying never changes a school’s place in our rankings.
How we ranked these
Every program is listed with the same published figures from the u.s. department of education, college scorecard (most recent cohorts, 2025-26). One figure orders the list: median earnings one year after graduation. One program per school is shown. Sponsorship is labeled and never changes a program's place.
At a glance
Compare programs by median earnings one year after graduation
| # | Program | Median earnings one year after graduation | Median debt | School completion | Net price | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Messiah UniversityMusic · Master's Degree | $66,907 | n/a | 78% | $25,955 | Visit |
| 2 | Moravian UniversityMusic · Bachelor's Degree | $50,856 | $27,000 | 74% | $35,264 | Visit |
| 3 | Shenandoah UniversityMusic · Master's Degree | $45,661 | n/a | 63% | $31,149 | Visit |
| 4 | Liberty UniversityMusic · Master's Degree | $44,550 | n/a | 64% | $29,235 | Visit |
| 5 | Luther CollegeMusic · Bachelor's Degree | $44,426 | $27,000 | 65% | $23,945 | Visit |
| 6 | Lebanon Valley CollegeMusic · Bachelor's Degree | $44,270 | $24,875 | 69% | $28,059 | Visit |
| 7 | Biola UniversityMusic · Bachelor's Degree | $41,268 | $20,250 | 68% | $32,530 | Visit |
| 8 | Belmont UniversityMusic · Master's Degree | $39,257 | n/a | 71% | $32,648 | Visit |
| 9 | St Olaf CollegeMusic · Bachelor's Degree | $37,924 | $27,000 | 83% | $21,546 | Visit |
| 10 | Duquesne UniversityMusic · Bachelor's Degree | $33,821 | $27,000 | 76% | $37,704 | Visit |
Featured schools
SponsoredThese schools paid to appear here. We may earn a fee if you click or request information. Paying never changes a school’s place in our rankings.
The shortlist
The 10 programs, from the top
- 2
Rank 2
Moravian University
Music · Bachelor's Degree · PA
- Median earnings, 1 yr
- $50,856
- Median debt
- $27,000
- School completion
- 74%
- Net price
- $35,264
- 3
Rank 3
Shenandoah University
Music · Master's Degree · VA
- Median earnings, 1 yr
- $45,661
- Median debt
- n/a
- School completion
- 63%
- Net price
- $31,149
- 4
Rank 4
Liberty University
Music · Master's Degree · VA
- Median earnings, 1 yr
- $44,550
- Median debt
- n/a
- School completion
- 64%
- Net price
- $29,235
- 5
Rank 5
Luther College
Music · Bachelor's Degree · IA
- Median earnings, 1 yr
- $44,426
- Median debt
- $27,000
- School completion
- 65%
- Net price
- $23,945
- 6
Rank 6
Lebanon Valley College
Music · Bachelor's Degree · PA
- Median earnings, 1 yr
- $44,270
- Median debt
- $24,875
- School completion
- 69%
- Net price
- $28,059
- 7
Rank 7
Biola University
Music · Bachelor's Degree · CA
- Median earnings, 1 yr
- $41,268
- Median debt
- $20,250
- School completion
- 68%
- Net price
- $32,530
- 8
Rank 8
Belmont University
Music · Master's Degree · TN
- Median earnings, 1 yr
- $39,257
- Median debt
- n/a
- School completion
- 71%
- Net price
- $32,648
- 9
Rank 9
St Olaf College
Music · Bachelor's Degree · MN
- Median earnings, 1 yr
- $37,924
- Median debt
- $27,000
- School completion
- 83%
- Net price
- $21,546
- 10
Rank 10
Duquesne University
Music · Bachelor's Degree · PA
- Median earnings, 1 yr
- $33,821
- Median debt
- $27,000
- School completion
- 76%
- Net price
- $37,704
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Get startedQuestions about this ranking
How is this ranking made?
One figure orders the list: median earnings one year after graduation for the named program. One program per school is shown, the school's highest-earning program that matches this list. Every rule is published in the method below.
Can a school pay to rank higher?
No. Sponsorship is a separate, labeled section, and paying never changes a program's place in the ranking.
What do the figures cover?
Earnings and median debt are program-level figures from the College Scorecard field-of-study file. Net price and completion describe the whole school, not the program.
How this ranking is made
Every line below is a rule. None of them can be bought.
If a rule is not written here, we did not apply it.
- 01
Programs in this list: Christian colleges that award a degree in music, at the bachelor's and master's level.
- 02
Ranked by one figure: median earnings one year after graduation (median earnings one year after graduation), from the College Scorecard field-of-study file. One program per school is shown: the school's highest-earning program that matches this list.
- 03
Programs with fewer than 20 graduates reporting earnings are left out because a median from a small group swings too much to compare.
- 04
Earnings and median debt are program-level. Net price and completion describe the whole school, not the program.
- 05
No school can pay to be included or to move up. Sponsored schools, where shown, appear in a separate, labeled section.
- 06
Religious affiliation is self-reported by the school to the U.S. Department of Education. Confirm program accreditation, licensure, and curriculum details with the school.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts, 2025-26), retrieved 2026-10-15. Earnings and debt are program-level; net price and completion describe the whole school. Logos by Logo.dev.
The short answer
The best music program at a Christian college is Messiah University.
Messiah University's music program has the highest median earnings on this list at $66,907 one year after graduation, among 22 Christian colleges with a matching program. Median debt is n/a. One program per school is shown. No school can pay to appear here or to move up.
$66,907Messiah University leads this list.Median earnings one year after graduation.
Schools on the list
22
Median program earnings
$33,373
Median program debt
$27,000
Median school completion
69%
Highest program earnings
- 01Messiah University$66,907 one year after graduation
- 02Moravian University$50,856 one year after graduation
- 03Shenandoah University$45,661 one year after graduation
- 04Liberty University$44,550 one year after graduation
Lowest program debt
- 01Biola University$20,250 median debt
- 02Chapman University$23,500 median debt
- 03Oklahoma City University$24,250 median debt
- 04Lebanon Valley College$24,875 median debt
Highest school completion
- 01St Olaf College83% completion
- 02Chapman University83% completion
- 03Southern Methodist University83% completion
- 04Baylor University82% completion
Largest enrollment
- 01Liberty University50,012 students · $29,235 net price
- 02Baylor University14,785 students · $44,441 net price
- 03DePaul University14,090 students · $27,108 net price
- 04Chapman University7,478 students · $46,708 net price
01
Which music program is actually best?
Messiah University tops this list because its music program has the highest median earnings one year after graduation among the programs that match this list. It reports $66,907 for graduates of that program, with 52 graduates reporting earnings. Median debt for the program is n/a.
The figures are program-level, not school-level. That matters here: a school's overall earnings can hide a strong program or lift a weak one. This list compares the program itself, then shows the school's net price and completion rate beside it so you can see the whole picture.
02
What this list measures
The list is built from the College Scorecard field-of-study file. It reports median earnings one year after graduation for graduates of a named program, plus median debt for that program. One program per school is shown: the school's highest-earning program that matches this list.
Net price and completion describe the whole school, not the program. A low net price is a school-level figure. A high completion rate is a school-level figure. Use them as context, not as a program guarantee.
03
How this list is ordered
One published figure orders the list: median earnings one year after graduation for the matching program. There is no composite score and no editorial adjustment. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates reporting earnings are left out because a median from a small group swings too much to compare.
For this music list, the matching programs are limited to music programs at Christian colleges. A school can have more than one matching program. The highest-earning one is the one shown. No school can pay to be included or to move up.
04
The top 8 programs on this list
These are the highest-ranked programs, ordered by median earnings one year after graduation.
- 01
Messiah University
Music · Master's Degree
$66,907 median earnings one year after graduation. n/a median program debt. The school reports 78% completion and $25,955 average net price.
- Program earnings
- $66,907
- Program debt
- n/a
- School completion
- 78%
- Graduates reporting
- 52
- 02
Moravian University
Music · Bachelor's Degree
$50,856 median earnings one year after graduation. $27,000 median program debt. The school reports 74% completion and $35,264 average net price.
- Program earnings
- $50,856
- Program debt
- $27,000
- School completion
- 74%
- Graduates reporting
- 21
- 03
Shenandoah University
Music · Master's Degree
$45,661 median earnings one year after graduation. n/a median program debt. The school reports 63% completion and $31,149 average net price.
- Program earnings
- $45,661
- Program debt
- n/a
- School completion
- 63%
- Graduates reporting
- 22
- 04
Liberty University
Music · Master's Degree
$44,550 median earnings one year after graduation. n/a median program debt. The school reports 64% completion and $29,235 average net price.
- Program earnings
- $44,550
- Program debt
- n/a
- School completion
- 64%
- Graduates reporting
- 37
- 05
Luther College
Music · Bachelor's Degree
$44,426 median earnings one year after graduation. $27,000 median program debt. The school reports 65% completion and $23,945 average net price.
- Program earnings
- $44,426
- Program debt
- $27,000
- School completion
- 65%
- Graduates reporting
- 43
- 06
Lebanon Valley College
Music · Bachelor's Degree
$44,270 median earnings one year after graduation. $24,875 median program debt. The school reports 69% completion and $28,059 average net price.
- Program earnings
- $44,270
- Program debt
- $24,875
- School completion
- 69%
- Graduates reporting
- 37
- 07
Biola University
Music · Bachelor's Degree
$41,268 median earnings one year after graduation. $20,250 median program debt. The school reports 68% completion and $32,530 average net price.
- Program earnings
- $41,268
- Program debt
- $20,250
- School completion
- 68%
- Graduates reporting
- 21
- 08
Belmont University
Music · Master's Degree
$39,257 median earnings one year after graduation. n/a median program debt. The school reports 71% completion and $32,648 average net price.
- Program earnings
- $39,257
- Program debt
- n/a
- School completion
- 71%
- Graduates reporting
- 25
05
What does the program cost?
Median program debt is $27,000 for the programs on this list. That is debt for graduates of the named program, not the whole school. A low debt figure can mean lower tuition, more grant aid, or a shorter program. Ask the school which one drives the number.
| School | Program | Program debt | School net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messiah University | Music | n/a | $25,955 |
| Moravian University | Music | $27,000 | $35,264 |
| Shenandoah University | Music | n/a | $31,149 |
| Liberty University | Music | n/a | $29,235 |
| Luther College | Music | $27,000 | $23,945 |
| Lebanon Valley College | Music | $24,875 | $28,059 |
| Biola University | Music | $20,250 | $32,530 |
| Belmont University | Music | n/a | $32,648 |
06
Does it pay off?
The median program on this list reports $33,373 one year after graduation. The top program reports $66,907. Earnings one year out are an early signal, not a lifetime total. They vary by field, by role, and by how many graduates go on to further study.
Read the program earnings next to the program debt and the school's completion rate. A high earnings number with very high debt is a different story from a moderate earnings number with low debt. The right comparison is the one that matches the career you actually want.
07
What makes a strong music program?
Music programs at Christian colleges prepare performers, teachers, composers, and worship leaders. The strongest programs combine serious applied instruction with ensembles, recitals, and a clear path to certification or graduate study.
- 01Who will your applied teacher be, and how often do you meet?
- 02What ensembles, recitals, and performance opportunities are available?
- 03For music education, does the program lead to a teaching license?
08
Is it accredited?
Music programs can hold NASM accreditation. Music education programs also need state approval for teacher licensure. Ask which credentials the program carries.
Institutional accreditation is the baseline. It is a review by an agency the U.S. Department of Education recognizes, and it is what makes a school eligible for federal student aid. The schools on this list are in the College Scorecard, which covers institutions that participate in that aid system. Ask the school which agency accredits the program you want, and check the agency at CHEA or the College Scorecard.
09
What should I check before I apply?
Once a program is accredited, these are the questions worth answering before you apply.
- 01Does the program lead to the credential, license, or next degree you actually want?
- 02What are the clinical, practicum, residency, or portfolio requirements, and can you complete them near you?
- 03What will you pay after grants, and how much debt do graduates of this program carry?
- 04What do graduates of this program earn, and how many graduates are behind that figure?
- 05Can you transfer credit, and how long will the program take?
10
Other Christian college rankings
This page ranks music programs by one published figure. The rest of the hub uses the same rule and the same federal data.
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11
Common questions about music programs
Do I need to audition?
Most music programs require an audition for admission or scholarship consideration. Ask what repertoire and theory placement the audition includes.
Can I study music online?
Some master's and worship ministry programs can be completed online. Performance-heavy degrees usually require in-person instruction. Confirm how applied lessons and ensembles work.
12
Where do these numbers come from?
Order. The list is ordered only by median earnings one year after graduation for the named program. There is no composite score and no editorial adjustment.
Figures. Earnings and median debt are program-level figures from the College Scorecard field-of-study file. Net price and completion describe the whole school. One program per school is shown.
No pay to rank. No school can pay to be included or to move up. Sponsored schools appear in a separate, labeled section.
Data source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts, 2025-26), retrieved 2026-10-15.
We rechecked the figures on this page against the College Scorecard release dated the 2026-10-15 College Scorecard release, confirmed each school is ordered only by the metric named in the ranking, and confirmed a sponsorship does not change that order.
Written by Lena Okonkwo, Education editor. Checked by Marcus Hale, Data editor. Some of the schools featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.
Terms used on this ranking
Median earningsMedian earnings is the midpoint of the earnings distribution for a defined group of former students, most ofte...Median debtMedian debt is the midpoint of the cumulative federal student loan amounts borrowed by a defined group of stud...Gainful employmentGainful employment is the federal regulatory framework that evaluates whether certain Title IV-eligible progra...Graduation rateGraduation rate is the percentage of full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates who c...
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Advertising disclosure
The schools on this page are advertisers. They pay us when you click through or request information, and that payment affects which schools appear and in what order. Net price, graduation rate, earnings, and debt come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and are the same figures we publish for every school.