Best Music Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 16 colleges offering Music programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 424 recent graduates. Graduates in Illinois earn $24,610 on average within two years — 9% below the national average of $27,045. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

Schools in IL

$24,610

IL Avg. Earnings

$27,045

National Avg.

354

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Music in Illinois

Public Schools (7)

$30,115

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (9)

$21,552

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Illinois produce comparable or higher early earnings for Music graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Music Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$31,133

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,765

Graduates: 21

Acceptance: 89.0%

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

$20,140

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,199

Graduates: 51

Acceptance: 7.1%

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 43.7%

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public

$36,668

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,254

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 67.8%

North Central College

Naperville, IL · Private

$26,739

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,555

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 58.3%

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,831

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 97.2%

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

$20,140

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $19,662

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 73.5%

Millikin University

Decatur, IL · Private

$17,437

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,043

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 54.0%

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$19,944

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $18,502

Graduates: 102

Acceptance: 91.2%

#10

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,406

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 70.5%

#11

Wheaton College

Wheaton, IL · Private

$20,921

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,924

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 90.0%

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$34,230

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,994

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 75.0%

#13

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL · Private

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL · Private

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL · Private

$16,786

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,445

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 94.3%

#16

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

$23,351

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 90.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Music in Illinois?

Illinois State University ranks #1 for Music in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $31,133 within two years of graduation. There are 16 schools offering Music programs in the state.

How much do Music graduates earn in Illinois?

Music graduates in Illinois earn an average of $24,610 within two years of graduation. This is 9% below the national average of $27,045 for this major.

What is the hardest Music school to get into in Illinois?

Northwestern University is the most selective Music program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 7.1%. The average acceptance rate across Music programs in the state is 70.2%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Music in Illinois?

In Illinois, private Music programs produce average earnings of $21,552 vs $30,115 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 7 public and 9 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Civil Engineering $61,502 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318

All colleges in Illinois →

Music in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.