Best colleges for Music in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, Sonoma State University leads: its Music graduates earn a median $65,533 four years after finishing, against the field's $42,892 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonoma State University | $65,533 | +$22,641 |
| 2 | University of Redlands | $59,275 | +$16,383 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego | $58,071 | +$15,179 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Music?
By graduate earnings, Sonoma State University — its Music bachelor's graduates earn a median $65,533 four years out, the highest of the 3 California programs in the federal file.
What do Music graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $58,071 to $65,533. The field's national median is $42,892.
Is a Music degree worth it?
On national medians the field sits at or below the $48,360 high-school baseline — the specific school and role decide whether it pays. The programs ranked here are the state's strongest.