Best Music Schools in Tennessee

Tennessee has 13 colleges offering Music programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 370 recent graduates. Graduates earn $25,657 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $27,045.

Schools in TN

$25,657

TN Avg. Earnings

$27,045

National Avg.

354

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Music in Tennessee

Public Schools (8)

$27,346

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (5)

$22,954

avg. 2yr earnings

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

Music Schools in Tennessee, Ranked by Earnings

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN · Private

$25,596

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,788

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 6.3%

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN · Public

$29,685

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 92.6%

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public

$26,353

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,848

Graduates: 28

Acceptance: 46.0%

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,935

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 83.2%

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN · Public

$27,126

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,397

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 93.4%

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, TN · Public

$30,366

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,711

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 96.0%

The University of Tennessee-Martin

Martin, TN · Public

$26,933

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,941

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 87.3%

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN · Public

$31,314

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,416

Graduates: 52

Acceptance: 68.0%

Belmont University

Nashville, TN · Private

$19,419

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $19,843

Graduates: 115

Acceptance: 96.4%

#10

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN · Public

$21,798

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $20,614

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 87.1%

#11

Lee University

Cleveland, TN · Private

$25,053

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,791

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 72.2%

#12

Visible Music College

Memphis, TN · Private

Carson-Newman University

Jefferson City, TN · Private

$23,649

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 68.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Music in Tennessee?

Vanderbilt University ranks #1 for Music in Tennessee with median graduate earnings of $25,596 within two years of graduation. There are 13 schools offering Music programs in the state.

How much do Music graduates earn in Tennessee?

Music graduates in Tennessee earn an average of $25,657 within two years of graduation. This is 5% below the national average of $27,045 for this major.

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

Vanderbilt University is the most selective Music program in Tennessee with an acceptance rate of 6.3%. The average acceptance rate across Music programs in the state is 71.2%.

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

In Tennessee, private Music programs produce average earnings of $22,954 vs $27,346 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 8 public and 5 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Tennessee

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $67,457 Chemical Engineering $66,750 Engineering, General $62,877 Computer Science $59,925 Computer Engineering $59,120 Civil Engineering $58,536 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $57,018 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $56,708

All colleges in Tennessee →

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.