Best College Guitar Programs

Last Updated on July 29, 2023

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS (UNT COLLEGE OF MUSIC)

Websitejazz.unt.edu
Location: Denton, TX 76203-5017
Tuition (2015)$8,745 (average)
Acceptance Rate: 61%
Degrees: Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
Guitar Teacher: Fred Hamilton
Alumni: Tim Miller, Bruce Saunders, Jim Snidero, …

There are few schools that share the reputation as that of North Texas. With a long history of producing some of the nation’s top jazz musicians, the words North Texas are synonymous with excellence in jazz education. With a lower tuition rate compared to many of their peers, North Texas boasts a world-class program at an affordable cost to students. Alumni include Tim Miller, Bruce Saunders, Jim Snidero, and more.

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 Columbia University

New York, New York

School Profile

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Undergraduate Tuition/Fees: $53,000

The Department of Music at Columbia University has been offering jazz degree programs through its renowned Louis Armstrong Performance Program since 2001. This interdisciplinary jazz studies degree program offers performance opportunities for aspiring musicians and access to visiting master artists. Also, jazz ensembles are offered through the program and give students the opportunity to forge relationships with peer musicians. Some of the ensembles include big band, free jazz, jazz combos, and jazz vocal ensemble. Some of the required courses for the jazz studies special concentration include jazz and American culture, jazz history, and jazz transcription and analysis. Columbia is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 5th best national university and 6th best value school.

NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY ARTS

Websitenewschool.edu/jazz/
Location: New York, NY 10011
Tuition (2015)$32,860
Acceptance Rate: 65.90%
Degrees: Bachelor
Guitar Teachers: Steve Cardenas, Vic Juris, …
Alumni: Peter Bernstein, Larry Goldings, Avashi Cohen, Alex Skolnick, …

By focusing on the concept of teacher as mentor, and providing students with access to the world’s best jazz musicians, the New School is often a first choice college for young jazz guitarists. Located at the center of the world’s best jazz scene, students get to experience life in New York as well as a top-notch education while studying at the New School. Alumni include Peter Bernstein, Larry Goldings, Avashi Cohen, and Alex Skolnick.

Randy Napoleon | MSU Music Faculty | MSU College of Music

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

School Profile

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Undergraduate Tuition/Fees: $49,047

The jazz studies degree from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music is a bachelor’s of music with jazz studies emphasis and is designed to prepare students to enter jazz master’s degree programs or work as professional musicians. Students have access to the rigorous coursework offered in and out of the music program, as well as performance opportunities in the thriving Chicago area jazz scene. The admission process includes a complete application, academic and music teacher recommendations, standardized test scores, and a music audition and/or portfolio materials depending on the program. Northwestern is one of the highest-ranked national universities in the country. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school #12 for best national institutions and #18 for best value

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (USC)

Websitemusic.usc.edu
Location: Los Angeles, CA 90089-0851
Tuition (2015)$50,210
Acceptance Rate: 19.80%
Degrees: Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
Guitar Teachers: Frank Potenza, Bruce Forman, Pat Kelley, …
Alumni: Lee Ritenour, Paul Jackson Jr., Larry Koonse, …

Featuring both a traditional jazz degree, and a studio jazz guitar degree, USC has quickly set itself apart as a first choice jazz guitar college. By providing students with a dedicated Jazz guitar degree, USC has shown a commitment to giving their students a world class Jazz guitar education and experience. Alumni have gone on to perform with Michael Buble, Ray Charles, Lee Ritenour, and more.

 Manhattan School of Music

New York, New York

School Profile

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Undergraduate Tuition/Fees: $42,600

The Manhattan School of Music is one of the first conservatories in the nation to implement jazz degree programs designed for skilled arrangers, composers, educators, and performers. Rigorous conservatory training combines study with performance and provides students with opportunities to network with New York City’s most renowned jazz musicians. Admission requires application and performance. After a student passes prescreening, an in-person audition is required. Manhattan School of Music is recognized as one of the leading specialty arts institutions in the country. In fact, in recent years U.S. News and World Report has ranked the school as among the best private arts institutions.

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (NYU STEINHARDT)

Websitesteinhardt.nyu.edu/music/jazz
Location: New York, NY 10003
Tuition (2015)$47,750
Acceptance Rate: 26%
Degrees: Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
Guitar Teachers: Wayne Krantz, John Scofield, Peter Bernstein, …
Alumni: Wayne Shorter, …

Located in the heart of the jazz world, NYU’s students experience not only a world-class education, but also life in Greenwich Village and New York’s thriving jazz scene. With a teaching list that reads as a who’s who in the jazz guitar world, alumni include Wayne Shorter, Brad Shepik, Ron Blake, Todd Coolman, and many more top names on today’s jazz scene.

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The Juilliard School

New York, New York

School Profile

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Undergraduate Tuition/Fees: $39,720

Listed as the best jazz degree programs on our list, The Juilliard School offers bachelor’s, master’s, and graduate diplomas in jazz and jazz studies. Students work closely with dedicated faculty members and perform as part of the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra and other smaller ensembles. Students also gain interactive performance experience by participating in many of the school’s educational and outreach programs. While enrolled in a jazz studies program, students may major in a particular instrument, including bass, drums, guitar, piano, saxophone, trombone, or trumpet. Juilliard’s acceptance rate is low (approximately 7%), and admission to the jazz programs is extremely competitive. Juilliard is our #1 pick for best university jazz programs.

Oberlin College

Oberlin, Ohio

School Profile

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Undergraduate Tuition/Fees: $50,582

Oberlin College’s jazz studies degree program is one of the leading and most respected jazz programs in the country. The conservatory has been offering jazz studies since 1973 and began offering the discipline as a major in 1989. The program is designed to prepare individuals for careers as professional jazz musicians and for advanced study as found in most jazz master’s degree programs. Once admitted, students begin a sequence of courses in private composition. Masterclass opportunities are also available and allow students to work with some of the most renowned musicians in the country. Oberlin is ranked by major publications and recognized as being a leading liberal arts institution. In fact, the most recent publication of Best Colleges by U.S. News and World Report ranks Oberlin as the 24th best national liberal arts college in the country.

CALIFORNIA JAZZ CONSERVATORY

Websitewww.cjc.edu
Location: Berkeley, CA 94703
Tuitioncjc.edu/baccalaureate-program/general-information/tuition-supplemental-fees/
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Degrees: Bachelor
Guitar Teacher: Mimi Fox

The new kid on the block, the California Jazz Conservatory is the nation’s only independent conservatory devoted solely to jazz performance and related musical styles. With a student teacher ration of 6 to 1, CJC students receive a personalized and attention focused degree in one of the nation’s top cities. Ensembles include the Miles Davis/Wayne Shorter ensemble, Brazilian ensemble, gypsy jazz ensemble, and more.

University of Illinois

Champaign, Illinois

School Profile

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Undergraduate Tuition/Fees: $15,054

One of the most affordable jazz studies degree programs on our list is offered by University of Illinois’ School of Music. Both undergraduate and graduate program options are available, including a bachelor’s in jazz performance, master’s of music in jazz performance, and doctor of musical arts (DMA) in jazz performance. Programs are designed to develop the student’s musicianship by composing, performing, and teaching. The school also offers access to conservatory-like studies and over 80 full-time faculty members. Admission to the music school is highly competitive due to the recognition and ranking of the institution. According to U.S. News and World Report, University of Illinois is ranked 44th among the best national universities.

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NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY (NEC)

Websitewww.necmusic.edu
Location: Boston, MA 02115
Tuition (2015)$42,600
Acceptance Rate: 28%
Degrees: Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
Guitar Teacher: Brad Shepik
Alumni: Don Byron, John Medeski, Fred Hersch and Luciana Souza

One of the top music programs in the world, jazz or otherwise, NEC focuses on improvisation, building an original voice, group interaction, and small groups study in their curriculum. With an open-minded approach to jazz education, NEC students are encouraged to explore their own personality and musical voice during their education. Alumni include Don Byron, John Medeski, Fred Hersch, and Luciana Souza.

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