Best Music Schools in North Carolina

North Carolina has 10 colleges offering Music programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 163 recent graduates. Graduates earn $27,015 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $27,045.

School choice matters significantly: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates earn $33,993 while Elizabeth City State University graduates earn $20,140 — a $13,853 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in NC

$27,015

NC Avg. Earnings

$27,045

National Avg.

354

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Music in North Carolina

Public Schools (9)

$27,771

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (1)

$22,482

avg. 2yr earnings

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

Music Schools in North Carolina, Ranked by Earnings

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,813

Graduates: 41

Acceptance: 18.7%

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 80.2%

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public

$36,368

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,792

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 86.7%

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC · Public

$33,565

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $15,995

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 89.8%

Catawba College

Salisbury, NC · Private

$22,482

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $16,419

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 77.7%

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 90.1%

University of North Carolina Asheville

Asheville, NC · Public

$16,786

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 93.9%

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Winston Salem, NC · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 33.1%

North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC · Public

$25,774

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $20,709

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 90.5%

#10

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, NC · Public

$20,140

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 70.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Music in North Carolina?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranks #1 for Music in North Carolina with median graduate earnings of $33,993 within two years of graduation. There are 10 schools offering Music programs in the state.

How much do Music graduates earn in North Carolina?

Music graduates in North Carolina earn an average of $27,015 within two years of graduation. This is near the national average of $27,045 for this major.

What is the hardest Music school to get into in North Carolina?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the most selective Music program in North Carolina with an acceptance rate of 18.7%. The average acceptance rate across Music programs in the state is 73.1%.

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

In North Carolina, private Music programs produce average earnings of $22,482 vs $27,771 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 9 public and 1 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in North Carolina

Computer Engineering $79,319 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $65,539 Chemical Engineering $65,411 Computer Science $60,095 Construction Engineering Technologies $58,582 Civil Engineering $56,103 Computer Programming $55,943 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $50,726

All colleges in North Carolina →

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.