Phillip EdwinTexas is home to an exceptionally strong and diverse network of music schools, offering programs that range from the largest public university music program in the United States to prestigious conservatory-style training at elite private institutions.
The state’s schools produce graduates with strong career outcomes, with music graduates earning an average of $38,450 within two years — 43% above the national average of $26,832 . Whether you are seeking a world-class jazz program, a comprehensive music education degree, or a specialized conservatory experience, Texas offers a music school to match your goals.
Top 20 Music Schools In Texas
1. University of North Texas (Denton)
UNT’s College of Music is the largest public university music program in the United States, with over 1,500 students and more than 70 ensembles presenting nearly 1,000 musical events yearly . The college is widely renowned for its jazz program, which was among the first in the nation to offer a jazz degree and includes the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band.
UNT offers a comprehensive range of degrees including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts, with specialized centers for chamber music, experimental music, and Schenkerian studies. The program features unique offerings like the non-auditioned Bachelor of Arts in Critical Studies in Music and Society and graduate certificates in Opera and Early Music Performance.
2. Rice University (Houston)
Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music is a premier conservatory-style program that caps enrollment at 275 students to maintain individualized instruction from world-class faculty. The school offers performance-oriented degrees including Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts, and Artist Diploma, as well as a Bachelor of Arts with a music concentration.
A unique 5-year Bachelor of Music/Master of Music honors program allows exceptional students to earn both degrees simultaneously. The Shepherd School is renowned for its orchestral instruments, composition, conducting, and opera studies programs.
3. University of Houston (Houston)
The University of Houston’s music program ranks among the top in Texas for graduate earnings, with graduates earning $49,557 within two years. The program has 129 students majoring in music and an acceptance rate of 69.5%. UH offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in music, with students gaining professional experience through stellar ensemble performances. The program prides itself on the diversity of its student body and its strong career outcomes.
4. The University of Texas at Austin (Austin)
UT Austin’s Butler School of Music offers a world-class program with an acceptance rate of 32% and a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. Graduates earn an average of $46,924 within two years. The school offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees, with students receiving opportunities to showcase themselves in solo recitals and ensembles both nationally and internationally. The faculty includes world-class scholars and performers who have received awards from prestigious foundations and organizations.
5. Texas State University (San Marcos)
Texas State University’s School of Music has more than 90 faculty who teach over 575 music majors across more than 30 ensembles. The school is guided by its motto “Somos Músicos” (“We are Musicians”) and emphasizes student-faculty interaction in a nurturing environment.
Degree offerings include Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Performance, Bachelor of Science in Sound Recording Technology, and Master of Music in numerous concentrations including Latin Music Performance, a distinctive program that includes award-winning Mariachi Nueva Generación and Salsa del Rio ensembles. The school features a new Performing Arts Center with two Steinway D concert grand pianos.
6. Texas Tech University (Lubbock)
Texas Tech’s School of Music is the third most popular music school in Texas, with an acceptance rate of 70.9% and graduates earning $44,170 within two years. The program boasts itself as having Texas’s most prominent instrument collection and features a huge reference library of over 13,000 recordings. The school offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees with a high job placement rate and state-of-the-art facilities. Texas Tech is home to a vibrant art scene and tourism industry, providing rich cultural opportunities for music students.
7. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (Edinburg)
UTRGV’s music program is a strong public option with graduates earning $49,084 within two years. The program has 95 students majoring in music and an acceptance rate of 84.8%. Graduates have an average debt of $13,832, making it one of the more affordable options among Texas music schools . The school serves the Rio Grande Valley region with a focus on accessible music education.
8. Texas A&M University-Kingsville (Kingsville)
Texas A&M-Kingsville offers a music program with graduates earning $48,041 within two years. The program has 36 students majoring in music and an acceptance rate of 92.3%. The school provides accessible music education in South Texas and offers a supportive learning environment for aspiring musicians.
9. The University of Texas at El Paso (El Paso)
UTEP’s music program has graduates earning $47,846 within two years, with 55 students majoring in music. The school has a 100% acceptance rate, making it one of the most accessible public music programs in Texas. Graduates have an average debt of $19,073, and the program serves the El Paso and West Texas region.
10. Texas Christian University (Fort Worth)
TCU’s music program was ranked 117th nationally and offers a strong private music education with a 90% job placement rate for graduates. The school provides students with a wide variety of study options and its internship program has been nationally recognized. As a private institution, TCU offers a more intimate learning environment and strong connections to the Fort Worth arts community.
11. Southern Methodist University (Dallas)
SMU’s music program is the 10th most popular college in the state for music, with an acceptance rate of 61.2% and a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The school offers Bachelor’s degrees with options in Music Education or Music Therapy, making it a strong choice for students pursuing music therapy careers . SMU has a superb faculty and its alumni list of accomplishments continues to grow.
12. Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches)
SFASU’s music program has graduates earning $43,054 within two years, with 78 students majoring in music. The school has an acceptance rate of 88.3% and serves the East Texas region. The program offers a supportive environment for music students and prepares graduates for diverse careers in music education and performance.
13. Lamar University (Beaumont)
Lamar University’s music program has graduates earning $43,426 within two years. The school has an acceptance rate of 85.7% and serves the Southeast Texas region. The program offers music education in the Golden Triangle area and provides students with opportunities to develop their musical skills.
14. Sam Houston State University (Huntsville)
SHSU’s music program has graduates earning $39,009 within two years. The school has an acceptance rate of 85.4% and serves the Huntsville and North Texas region. The program offers comprehensive music education and prepares graduates for careers in music teaching and performance.
15. University of Texas at San Antonio (San Antonio)
UTSA’s music program has graduates earning $43,674 within two years. The school has an acceptance rate of 88.5% and serves the South Texas region. UTSA provides accessible public music education with a focus on student success and career preparation.
16. University of Texas at Arlington (Arlington)
UTA’s music program has graduates earning $40,768 within two years. The school has an acceptance rate of 81.3% and serves the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The program offers music education in the heart of the DFW area, providing students with access to a vibrant arts community.
17. West Texas A&M University (Canyon)
WTAMU’s music program has graduates earning $41,937 within two years. The school has an acceptance rate of 97.4% and serves the Texas Panhandle region. The program provides accessible public music education in West Texas.
18. East Texas A&M University (Commerce)
East Texas A&M’s music program has graduates earning $42,682 within two years . The school has an acceptance rate of 92.6% and serves the North Texas region. The program offers music education in a supportive university environment, producing even more proficient music professionals.
19. Tarleton State University (Stephenville)
Tarleton State’s music program has graduates earning $42,682 within two years. The school has an acceptance rate of 94.2% and serves the North Central Texas region . The program provides accessible public music education with a focus on career preparation. Graduates of this program are equipped with the skills and confidence to stand before any audience.
20. The University of Texas at Austin (Austin)
UT Austin’s Butler School of Music is a world-class program with an acceptance rate of 32% and a 7:1 student-faculty ratio . Graduates earn an average of $46,924 within two years. The school offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees, with students receiving opportunities to showcase themselves in solo recitals and ensembles both nationally and internationally.
The faculty includes world-class scholars and performers who have received awards from prestigious foundations and organizations.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Location | Approx. Early Career Earnings | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Texas | Denton | $38,048 | Largest public music program in U.S., Grammy-nominated jazz program |
| 2 | Rice University | Houston | Varies | Conservatory-style, cap of 275 students, 5-year BM/MM program |
| 3 | University of Houston | Houston | $49,557 | Highest earnings among TX music programs, diverse student body |
| 4 | UT Austin | Austin | $46,924 | 7:1 faculty ratio, world-class faculty, 32% acceptance rate |
| 5 | Texas State University | San Marcos | $42,363 | Latin Music Performance, 90+ faculty, “Somos Músicos” motto |
| 6 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock | $44,170 | Largest instrument collection in TX, 13,000+ recordings library |
| 7 | UT Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg | $49,084 | Low debt ($13,832), accessible regional option |
| 8 | Texas A&M-Kingsville | Kingsville | $48,041 | Small program (36 majors), South Texas focus |
| 9 | UT El Paso | El Paso | $47,846 | 100% acceptance rate, West Texas region |
| 10 | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth | Varies | 90% job placement, nationally recognized internship program |
| 11 | Southern Methodist University | Dallas | $25,194 | Music Education and Music Therapy options |
| 12 | Stephen F. Austin State | Nacogdoches | $43,054 | East Texas region, 78 music majors |
| 13 | Lamar University | Beaumont | $43,426 | Southeast Texas region |
| 14 | Sam Houston State | Huntsville | $39,009 | Huntsville area, accessible public option |
| 15 | UT San Antonio | San Antonio | $43,674 | South Texas region |
| 16 | UT Arlington | Arlington | $40,768 | DFW metroplex location |
| 17 | West Texas A&M | Canyon | $41,937 | Texas Panhandle region |
| 18 | East Texas A&M (Commerce) | Commerce | $42,682 | North Texas region |
| 19 | Tarleton State | Stephenville | $42,682 | North Central Texas region |
Success Tips for Choosing a Music School
Start by determining what type of musical career you want to pursue. If you are interested in jazz, the University of North Texas is an exceptional choice, as it was one of the first universities to offer a jazz degree and is widely recognized for its program.
For a conservatory-style experience with a low student-to-faculty ratio, Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music offers an intimate setting with only 275 music students.
Consider the cost and career outcomes; the University of Houston, UT Rio Grande Valley, and Texas A&M-Kingsville offer some of the highest early-career earnings among Texas music schools.
For students seeking a comprehensive music education with strong job placement, Texas Christian University reports a 90% job placement rate for its graduates.
Evaluate each school’s ensemble opportunities, as schools like UNT with over 70 ensembles and Texas State with over 30 provide extensive performance experience.
Closing
Texas offers a premier selection of music schools, from the largest public university music program in the nation at the University of North Texas to the elite conservatory training at Rice University. The state’s schools produce graduates with strong career outcomes, with many programs reporting early-career earnings well above the national average.
Whether you are seeking a comprehensive music education degree at Texas State, a performance-focused program at UT Austin, or a distinctive Latin music program, Texas music schools offer exceptional training and opportunities. Note that all information, including earnings and program details, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each school.