Best Music Universities In USA

Last Updated on July 30, 2023

The United States of America hosts some of the world’s most prestigious colleges and universities.  If you wish to pursue advanced degrees in fields related to music such as performance, music business, musical theater or music education, you will come across various options in the USA.

Music production can take you places. It can give your career a boost, and if you are the right innovator, it can also help you to find better job opportunities or take your musical talent to greater heights. It would always be good if you could enroll yourself in the best music universities where you can learn music production and other related activities. This gives you a great head start to your career. Today, there are many colleges out there that offer courses on playing music or recording music or even how to be an engineer or producer. It helps if the college has good teachers who have years of experience in these fields, as it would provide a practical approach towards teaching their students as well as putting their skills to good use at the same time

There are numerous music production universities in the usa. Music is indeed one of the best professions that you can take up but before that, you need to get into a music university. The question then arises of which music school is the best for you. This article highlights the top 10 best music industry dep at the usa.

Best Music Universities In USA

1: Jacobs School of Music (Indiana University—Bloomington)

  • Location: Bloomington, IN
  • Acceptance rate: 25%
  • Student body size: about 500 undergraduates
  • Tuition and fees
    • Indiana resident: $23,870/year
    • Indiana non-resident: $49,434/year

The Jacobs School of Music is part of Indiana University—Bloomington, a public university in the Indiana University system. Although IU Bloomington is a relatively large school, with around 33,000 undergraduates overall, Jacobs School of Music only has about 500 undergrads; it’s still on the larger side for a conservatory (it has roughly the same number of grad students as well), but it has a significantly more intimate feel than you’d expect to get from your average state university flagship school.

As an undergraduate applicant, you’ll need to both apply to Indiana University and fill out an additional Jacobs School of Music supplemental application.

2. The Juilliard School

The Juilliard School is a private performing arts conservatory in New York City. Established in 1905, the school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music. It is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading drama, music and dance schools, with some of the most prestigious arts programs. 

3: School of Music, Theatre, and Dance (University of Michigan—Ann Arbor)

  • Location: Ann Arbor, MI
  • Acceptance rate: around 7-16% (varies depending on major)
  • Student body size: about 825 undergraduates (74% with music focus)
  • Tuition
    • Tuition (Michigan resident): $14,586 for freshmen/sophomores; $17,806 for juniors/seniors
    • Tuition (Michigan non-resident): $51,552 for freshmen/sophomores; $55,140 for juniors/seniors

The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is one of several different schools at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, a highly selective public university in the University of Michigan system. While UMich’s Ann Arbor has around 32,000 undergraduates as a whole, SMTD has much more of a conservatory feel, with under 200 music students in each year.

You can apply to SMTD through the Common App or Coalition App, and you’ll also need to submit an artistic profile as part of your application as well.

As an alternative to doing a full-on dual degree, students at SMTD can also choose to get a Bachelor of Musical Arts, which combines a music performance (jazz or classical) concentration with non-music coursework. (At other schools like Frost, an equivalent degree might be a Bachelor of Arts in Music, rather than a Bachelor of Music degree).

4: Curtis Institute of Music

  • Location: Philadelphia, PA
  • Acceptance rate: around 5%, depending on program
  • Student body size: around 170 undergrads
  • Tuition: $0

The Curtis Institute of Music is a private conservatory that is focused around performance (although it does have a composition program as well). Curtis is extremely difficult to get into, but when I spoke with Admissions I was told that you can always reapply if you’re rejected and that, indeed, there are many students at Curtis who didn’t get in the first time around.

The main reason for Curtis’s exclusivity is its free tuition policy. All students accepted to Curtis are given a scholarship to cover the cost of tuition, with the aim of making sure that talented students are not held back from attending Curtis due to the price of admission. This policy has made Curtis as or more difficult to get into than Juilliard and the quality of students admitted is extremely high.

5: The New England Conservatory of Music

  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Acceptance rate: 33%
  • Student body size: around 400 undergrads
  • Tuition: $47,900

The New England Conservatory of Music, or NEC, is located in Boston, MA. The convenient positioning of NEC just around the corner from Symphony Hall (home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra) makes it easy both for NEC students to get reduced price tickets to the orchestra and for the faculty of NEC to commute back and forth between teaching at NEC and playing in the BSO (as many of them do).

While NEC has both jazz and classical undergraduate majors, as a whole it falls decidedly more on the classical side of the spectrum (as opposed to nearby Berklee, which tends more towards the jazz/contemporary music persuasion).

In addition to having a top-notch conservatory program, NEC also boasts an impressive array of cross-registration options for undergraduates who want to challenge themselves with non-music academics as well.

Like Berklee/BoCo, NEC is part of the Pro-Arts consortium, and so NEC students can take classes at Boston Architectural College, Emerson College, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, or the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts. Additionally, NEC students can cross-register for classes at nearby Northeastern University or Tufts University.

6: Thornton School of Music (USC)

  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
  • Acceptance rate: 20% (varies depending on program and year)
  • Student body size: 450-500 undergrads
  • Tuition: $57,256

The Thornton School of Music is part of the University of Southern California (USC), a highly selective private university in Los Angeles. The process of applying to Thornton is a little different than for other music schools that are part of larger universities—rather than applying to Thornton separately, you must apply to USC and select “music major” in the application (as well as including all required portfolio materials).

Even though you have to apply to USC (around 19,000 undergrads total), Thornton with its <1000 students (grad and undergrad) still has that conservatory vibe.

Like SMTD at UMich, Thornton allows undergrads to follow two different tracks: the BM track, which is essentially a conservatory degree, or the BA in Music track, which allows students to have a more liberal-arts focused degree (that still includes a good amount of music coursework).

7: Berklee College of Music/Boston Conservatory

  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Acceptance rate: 39% overall
  • Student body size
    • Berklee: 6,400 undergrads
    • Boston Conservatory at Berklee: 190 music undergrads
  • Tuition: $44,360 for BM; $38,220 for professional diploma

Berklee College of Music is a private conservatory located in Boston, MA. Berklee has long been known as one of the best contemporary music schools in the world, particularly when it comes to jazz, but it also has thriving classical and non-performance programs. It’s also the largest undergraduate conservatory program on our list, with over 1500 students in each year.

In 2016, Berklee joined forces with the Boston Conservatory and become a single behemoth of a music school…sort of. Actually, you can still apply separately to the Boston Conservatory at Berklee if you’re more interested in the BoCo curriculum than Berklee’s. And you can always cross-register through the Pro Arts consortium for classes at Boston Architectural College, Emerson College, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, New England Conservatory, or the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts.

8. Colburn Conservatory of Music

  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
  • Acceptance rate: low, varies by program; available upon request from admissions
  • Student body size: 110 undergrads
  • Tuition and fees: $13,000

Located in downtown LA, the Colburn School is a music school that offers everything from pre-college music lessons to graduate study.

All degree programs at Colburn are offered through the relatively new Colburn Conservatory of Music. While the undergraduate curriculum includes some required humanities courses, the bulk of your time will be spent on performance study.

Unlike most of the other conservatories in this article, Colburn only offers performance majors. In addition, because Colburn is so small, whether or not you can apply at all in a given year depends on whether or not the teachers of your instrument have room in their studios for new students.

9: Manhattan School of Music

  • Location: New York, NY
  • Acceptance rate: around 45% (varies depending on major and year)
  • Student body size: 490 undergrads
  • Tuition: $48,280

The Manhattan School of Music is a private music conservatory located in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights. Like Curtis, MSM has many more undergrad students than grad students, so the atmosphere is similar to what you’d find at a liberal arts college (albeit compressed down into less than 100 students per year).

Like many conservatories unattached to larger institutions, MSM is primarily performance-focused; however, within this performance focus there are a couple of programs that stand out. The first (which I discovered as I was researching schools) is that you can major in jazz harmonica at MSM. This is the only degree of its kind that I have seen at undergraduate schools anywhere, so if you are a harmonica virtuoso, MSM should be at the top of your list of schools to apply to.

10: Peabody Institute (Johns Hopkins University)

  • Location: Baltimore, MD
  • Acceptance rate: varies by program; low
  • Student body size: About 270 undergraduates
  • Tuition: $53,630

The Peabody Institute falls under the academic umbrella of Johns Hopkins University, an extremely selective private university in Baltimore that has about 6,000 undergraduate students over all its programs.

Around 270 undergrad and 310 grad students attend the Peabody Conservatory, which means you’ll have the chance not only to collaborate with your undergraduate peers but with other students more advanced in their studies (and get a glimpse into what life might be like if you go to grad school for music). Peabody offers both Bachelor of Music degrees and performance certificates (a non-academic undergraduate diploma) for undergraduate students.

To attend Peabody as an undergraduate, you only need to apply to the Peabody Institute (rather than to Johns Hopkins as well) unless you’re planning on getting a dual degree, in which case you’ll have to apply and be accepted to both Peabody and Johns Hopkins. Typically a minimum of five years, dual degree programs with the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences or the Whiting School of Engineering are even more intensive than a regular conservatory degree.

best music production universities in usa

  • Berklee College of Music Boston, MA

Berklee College of Music offers 29 Music Production degree programs. It’s a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 1,091 Music Production students graduated with students earning 893 Bachelor’s degrees, 186 Master’s degrees, and 12 Certificates.

  • Northwestern University Evanston, IL

Northwestern University offers 30 Music Production degree programs. It’s a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2019, 148 Music Production students graduated with students earning 78 Bachelor’s degrees, 53 Master’s degrees, and 17 Doctoral degrees.

  • University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA

University of Southern California offers 35 Music Production degree programs. It’s a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 238 Music Production students graduated with students earning 118 Bachelor’s degrees, 71 Master’s degrees, 29 Doctoral degrees, and 20 Certificates.

  • University of Rochester Rochester, NY

University of Rochester offers 19 Music Production degree programs. It’s a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2019, 259 Music Production students graduated with students earning 114 Bachelor’s degrees, 92 Master’s degrees, and 53 Doctoral degrees.

  • University of North Texas Denton, TX

University of North Texas offers 11 Music Production degree programs. It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2019, 332 Music Production students graduated with students earning 190 Bachelor’s degrees, 73 Master’s degrees, 62 Doctoral degrees, and 7 Certificates.

  • University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA

University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers 34 Music Production degree programs. It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 51 Music Production students graduated with students earning 23 Bachelor’s degrees, 16 Master’s degrees, and 12 Doctoral degrees.

  • Boston University Boston, MA

Boston University offers 20 Music Production degree programs. It’s a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 134 Music Production students graduated with students earning 55 Master’s degrees, 38 Bachelor’s degrees, 26 Doctoral degrees, and 15 Certificates.

  • University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus offers 18 Music Production degree programs. It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 211 Music Production students graduated with students earning 121 Master’s degrees, 43 Bachelor’s degrees, 32 Doctoral degrees, and 15 Certificates.

  • University of Miami Coral Gables, FL

University of Miami offers 29 Music Production degree programs. It’s a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2019, 165 Music Production students graduated with students earning 80 Bachelor’s degrees, 58 Master’s degrees, 14 Doctoral degrees, and 13 Certificates.

  • Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN

Indiana University-Bloomington offers 16 Music Production degree programs. It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2019, 397 Music Production students graduated with students earning 155 Bachelor’s degrees, 150 Master’s degrees, 47 Certificates, and 45 Doctoral degrees.

best music universities in the world

If you’re just beginning your search for where you may go to study music, consider these ten colleges and universities above all others, as they are widely understood to be the absolute best in the world.

In no particular order, our picks for the best music schools in the world are:

  • The Juilliard School
  • Berklee College of Music
  • Yale School of Music
  • New England Conservatory of Music
  • University of Southern California Thornton School of Music
  • Curtis Institute of Music
  • The Royal Academy of Music
  • Royal College of Music
  • Indiana University – The Jacobs School of Music
  • Mannes School of Music

1. The Juilliard School

 Location: New York City, NY
Founded: 1905
Notable Alumni: Barry Manilow, Yo-Yo Ma, John Williams

The Juilliard School, or simply Juilliard as most people call it, is known as the most prestigious performing arts educational institution in the world, according to a number of rankings doled out every year. The college teaches students in a number of verticals, including dance, acting, and, of course, music, which it is perhaps best known for.

The school is attached to the similarly prestigious Lincoln Center, which plays host to some of the best live music performances to be found anywhere, with a focus on all things classical and opera. This option is best for those who one day would like to compose or perhaps play in an orchestra, but it probably isn’t ideal for anyone looking to create more contemporary popular music.

2. Berklee College of Music

 Location: Boston, MA
Founded: 1945
Notable Alumni: Melissa Etheridge, Quincy Jones, John Mayer

Unlike many other music programs all around the world, Berklee College of Music is focused on churning out artists who go on to top the charts and own the pop culture conversation. Many of the most successful alumni aren’t in orchestras or crafting classical compositions, but rather, they have squarely focused their musical efforts in pop, rock, and other modern genres.

Boston is known as a college town and Berklee College of Music is simply one of the best in a crowded area.

3. Yale School of Music

 Location: New Haven, CT
Founded: 1894
Notable Alumni: Marco Beltrami, Michael Daugherty, Matt Brubeck

Yale needs no introduction, but sadly, many people overlook the music school as the other programs receive the majority of attention. The legendary university’s musical wing is world-renowned and not just because of the name. It has truly earned its stellar reputation and it lives up to the Yale brand, producing many incredibly accomplished musicians.

New Haven, Connecticut is a relatively smaller city without all the flash of (fairly) nearby NYC but it will be worth it when you get out of school and have Yale on your resume.

4. New England Conservatory of Music

 Location: Boston, MA
Founded: 1867
Notable Alumni: Neal E. Boyd, Aoife O’Donovan, Vic Firth

Yes, of course, another Boston college makes this list! With so many schools in such a relatively small area, it’s impossible to avoid including more than one institution from the city on any ranking of great universities. While Berklee does get a majority of the music-focused collegiate attention when it comes to Beantown, there is plenty of room for the New England Conservatory of Music, as the two don’t overlap very much.

Where Berklee is focused on creating hitmakers and pop stars, the NECM keeps its eyes (and ears) on helping those with a passion for playing become some of the best in the world on stringed, woodwind, and brass instruments.

5. University of Southern California Thornton School of Music

 Location: Los Angeles, CA
Founded: 1884
Notable Alumni: Herb Alpert, James Newton Howard, James Horner

Founded just four years after the university itself, the Thornton School of Music is one of the oldest musical institutions in America and it benefits immensely from more than a century of knowing what it takes to craft a truly wonderful musician. While the organization focuses on styles like jazz, classical, and earlier forms of music, the school also has a celebrated program for those looking to work in the music industry but who may not be musicians themselves.

Even if you want to be on the more creative end of things as an artist, taking classes to teach you what’s happening in the business can only benefit you and this is a great place to receive such a blended education. Aspiring Music Business majors should take note of this school. USC also has strong connections to the film music industry.

6. Curtis Institute of Music

 Location: Philadelphia, PA
Founded: 1924
Notable Alumni: Leonard Bernstein, David Brooks, Lang Lang
While not specifically known as one of the better music cities in America, Philadelphia does have at least one hidden gem everybody considering going to college to study the craft should look into: The Curtis Institute of Music. The school, which is coming up on one hundred years of age, has been quietly producing some of the most accomplished musicians in the world for a long time. While you might not have heard of it, everybody in the opera field (the school’s specialty) certainly has!

It is notoriously difficult to be accepted to, as it agrees to take on less than five percent of all applicants, so you’re going to need to show them something really special if you want to go here.

7. The Royal Academy of Music

 Location: London, UK
Founded: 1822
Notable Alumni: Elton John, Annie Lennox
If you’re looking to travel overseas when you take up your musical studies, the Royal Academy of Music may be exactly what you need. The school accepts students from dozens of countries so you certainly have a chance of going but you’re going to need to be really, really great to be included in the incoming class -— this is one institution that can afford to be picky.

The college is also connected to the University of London which can come in handy if you’re looking to study something other than music (in addition to becoming a serious artist, of course).

8. Royal College of Music

 Location: London, UK
Founded: 1882
Notable Alumni: Andrew Lloyd Webber, James Horner, Vanessa-Mae

Speaking of London, if you don’t get into the Royal Academy of Music, there are other options in that great city and the second one on your list should absolutely be the Royal College of Music. The two similarly-named universities are part of the ABRSM (the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), four wonderful educational institutions in the U.K. dedicated to teaching the art of performance.

Only two of the four are located in London, which is where you probably want to live if you’re moving to the country for college. In addition to actually helping people become better musicians, the Royal College of Music does a lot of research into all things related to performance, which further influences teaching methods and how live events are staged and buildings are created.

9. Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University

 Location: Bloomington, IN
Notable Alumni: Joshua Bell, Carl Broemel

It may not be quite as impressive as some other schools on this list and it doesn’t carry the same reputation to one day help you get noticed by employers simply because of a famous name but the Jacobs School of Music, which is based at Indiana University, offers the greatest chance of acceptance for many up-and-coming artists. Many of the universities I’ve already mentioned only admit a small group of new applicants every year, while the Jacobs School has almost 2,000 students at any given time.

As a public university, this option is often offered at a lower price than many private choices, especially for those from the region.

10. Mannes School of Music

 Location: New York City, NY
Founded: 1916
Notable Alumni: Burt Bacharach

Another New York City school, I know — but there’s a reason why so many of these colleges are located in the Big Apple!

While it may be difficult to make a go of being a professional musician in America’s largest metropolis, it also happens to be where the majority of the music industry is focused. Students at the Mannes School of Music benefit not only from excellent Professors who typically have decades of experience, but from being just a subway ride away from countless opportunities for internships, jobs, and places to perform whenever they like.

colleges with good music programs for non majors

If you love playing music or being part of a choir, band, or orchestra, but you aren’t looking to major in music, these schools are for you! Some have a dedicated Music Major program, or a separate Music School; others simply provide opportunities for students and community members to play in various ensembles. If you’re looking for something in between, many of these schools offer music as a minor. 

Ithaca College

Students at Ithaca College can enroll in private lessons for credit (from a music school professor) or without credit (from an undergraduate or graduate music student). Students also have the option of participating in choir, band, jazz band, and orchestra specifically for non-music majors. These ensembles meet once a week, and perform once a semester. It is also possible to audition for the main musical ensembles, although acceptance into these groups is not guaranteed. 

Butler University

At Butler University, any student may audition for a number of instrumental and vocal ensembles—this includes several choruses, chamber music and percussion ensembles, jazz groups, and the marching band. Music courses such as guitar and vocal instruction are also available. Students are even able to apply for scholarships up to $1,500 a year, if they are accepted into one of the major ensembles on campus.

University of Colorado at Boulder

Non-music majors at the University of Colorado at Boulder are welcome to take a number of music elective courses, including theory, piano, world music, music appreciation, history of jazz, and others. Students have the opportunity to audition for campus ensembles as well—bands, choir, jazz groups, world music ensembles. Private lessons in a range of instruments (and voices) are also open to all students. 

University of Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin at Madison offers courses in a range of music topics—from opera, to big bands, from symphonies to modern music—for any students to take. The school also offers band, orchestra, chorus, and a gamelan ensemble that do not require auditions; interested students may audition for additional groups that are targeted for music majors. Private lessons are also available for instrumental and vocal education.

Northwestern University

Even if a student is not enrolled in the Bienen Music School at Northwestern University, he or she is allowed to take private lessons and to participate in music ensembles within the school. Students must audition for these lessons and ensembles. There is a wide range of courses available as well—including opera history, music theory, composition, music technology, musical theater, The Beatles, and songwriting. Students enrolled in performance courses or lessons have access to practice rooms at the Music Practice Hall (also known as “The Beehive”).

Lawrence University

The Music Conservatory at Lawrence University has a great selection of courses and ensembles for non-majors to take part in. Courses in musical theater, music around the globe, performing arts, composition, and theory are just a few options open to all students. Various ensembles are another great choice; Lawrence offers spots—some by audition—in percussion, jazz, symphonic, and choral groups. Private lessons are also available.  

Towson University

Towson University’s non-major music offerings are mostly course-related; any student is invited to audition for the ensembles on campus, but there are several music courses designed specifically for non-majors. These courses include “Women in Western Music,” “Survey of the Music Industry,” and “Elements and History of Rock Music.” Any of these courses satisfy the Arts and Humanities segment of the core curriculum of Towson. 

Carnegie Mellon University

Known for its music school, Carnegie Mellon has plenty of great opportunities for non-majors as well. Students can take private lessons with or without credit, and have the chance to perform in a student recital at the end of each semester. Many ensembles are open to all students, following a required audition process. However, the “All University Orchestra” is student-run, requires no audition, and is open to all students and community members.  

DePauw University

In addition to the regular ensembles, lessons, and courses, DePauw University offers non-majors the chance to perform (by audition) in small chamber groups (such as a flute ensemble or a trombone choir), dance classes (such as ballroom or ballet), or in the school’s annual opera production. Students have the chance to audition for Music Performance Awards their senior year of high school, if they plan on participating in an ensemble each semester they attend DePauw.

University of Iowa

At the University of Iowa, students interested in pursuing a non-music major still have plenty of music courses and ensembles to choose from. Private lessons and a broad range of courses—from composition to modern rock bands—are available for any enrolled student. There are several orchestras, bands, and choral groups to choose from at UI. Some of them are audition-based, and some are open to any interested students. 

Vanderbilt University

The Blair School of Music, within Vanderbilt University, offers a range of opportunities for those wishing to minor in music, or just take a few classes. There are several courses designed specifically for non-majors—topics include the history of rock music, music and business/technology, theory, and musical theatre. Students of any discipline are welcome to audition for a number of campus ensembles, including the steel drum band, jazz band, and choral ensembles.

University of Houston

At the University of Houston, all interested students are welcome to audition for brass/wind ensembles, bands, marching band, and several choral groups. Some ensembles require auditions, but are open to any students, regardless of major. There are some scholarships available as well for any interested musicians. Houston also offers a range of courses to non-majors, from class piano, to jazz, to music appreciation, and world music.

Valparaiso University

In addition to the opportunities of performing with various music ensembles, and taking core music courses, non-majors at Valparaiso University’s music school have the chance to take part in a number of extra-curricular music groups. Students can join the handbell choir, the Matins choir, the pep band, or Sweetwine, a contemporary Gospel band. 

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