Best Colleges For Music You Can Try

Music is a universal language. It brings people together and creates moments of joy, laughter, and even sorrow that can be shared with others. Whether you’re hoping to become a musician or just take music as an elective, there are many colleges that offer degree programs in music. There are so many things to consider when choosing the right school — from the cost of tuition to the student body and campus environment. Whether you’re interested in studying jazz, computer science, or another type of music, there are plenty of schools that give their students ample opportunities for growth as well as exploration.

In this article, we list some of the best colleges for music that will help you achieve your goals and make your musical dreams come true. Whether you’re looking for a local school with lots of students your age or an Ivy League university that offers opportunities beyond the classroom, we’ve got you covered.

Read on to find out more about some of the top music colleges in the United States. These institutions not only offer relevant degree programs but also provide an immersive student experience with excellent facilities and resources.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Colleges for Music

With so many colleges to choose from, how can you find the best school for you? There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a school.

First and foremost, make sure that the school offers a program in your desired field.
You should also take into account the cost and location of the school.
Social media presence, class size, and academic reputation are also good metrics to measure the best colleges for music. If you’re looking for schools in a specific region, we’ve broken down the list by region below.

Best Colleges for Music by Regions

The following list includes some of the best colleges for music programs in the U.S., broken down by region.

Northeast

New York – New York is home to countless colleges and universities, including the Big Apple’s most prestigious schools. Whether you’re looking to advance your music career or simply indulge your passion, there are many schools in New York City to choose from.
Boston – The city of Boston is iconic for many reasons, including its vibrant music scene. The city is home to numerous music conservatories, including the New England Conservatory and the Berklee College of Music.

Mid-Atlantic and Mideast

Philadelphia – The City of Brotherly Love is home to a number of great music programs. Among these is Temple University’s Department of Music.
Baltimore – The city of Baltimore is home to a number of great schools, including the Peabody Institute.
Washington, D.C. – The nation’s capital is home to a number of great schools, including George Washington University and the University of Maryland.

Midwest

Chicago – The Windy City is one of the best places in the country to study music. It’s home to a number of top-notch education institutions, including the University of Chicago.
Detroit – The Motor City is home to a number of great schools, including the University of Michigan.
Minneapolis – The Twin Cities are home to a number of great schools, including the University of Minnesota.

Southwest

Los Angeles – The City of Angels is the perfect place to chase your music dreams. It’s home to a number of top-notch music schools, including the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles.
New Mexico – Regardless of what field you want to pursue, New Mexico is a great place to earn a degree. It’s home to a number of great schools, including the University of New Mexico.
Texas – The Lone Star State is home to a number of great schools, including the University of Texas at Austin.

The West

Seattle – Whether you want to study jazz or something else, Seattle is a great place to study music. It’s home to a number of top-notch music schools, including the University of Washington and Cornish College of the Arts.
Portland – Whether you want to study music or simply enjoy it, Portland is a great place to study music. It’s home to a number of great schools, including the University of Oregon and Portland State University.
California – The Golden State is a top destination for students from across the country. It’s home to a number of great music schools, including California State University.

Other top colleges for music majors

If you’re passionate about making music or exploring its many roles and forms, check out these schools for music majors. These 10 colleges for music majors offer top-notch programs and facilities to help you hone your skills, build your resume, and launch your career in this dynamic field.

1. Cornell University

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in music, look no further than Cornell University. This Ivy League institution is known for its innovative and diverse music departments, including classical music, jazz, music theory and ethnomusicology, musicology, music composition, and more. The school also has a rich musical history, as it was once home to the first student orchestra in the country.

If you’re passionate about the classical genre, you can study and perform with the Cornell Concert Orchestra. If you enjoy jazz and want to learn more about its history and how it’s evolved, you can explore that with the Cornell Jazz Ensemble.

2. The University of Southern California (USC)

Look no further than the University of Southern California if you are interested in music production. You can study with the Grammy-winning faculty at the Department of Cinematic Arts in the School of Cinematic Arts, where you can also pursue a minor in the music business. Students have the opportunity to work with industry professionals, attend industry events, and participate in competitions.

If you’re interested in more than producing music, you can study music theory and analysis at the Department of Music. You can also study ethnomusicology, music history, and jazz studies at the Department of World Arts and Cultures. If you’re interested in classical music, you can study composition or orchestration.

3. Boston College

If you’re interested in music and business, Boston College may be for you. The college offers a dual degree program between the Carroll School of Management and the School of Music. You can pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and a Bachelor of Science degree in business. This program was designed for students who want to pursue a career in music management. You’ll study aspects of music, business, and management in this rigorous program.

4. Rice University

If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in music composition, look no further than Rice University. You can major in music composition with a focus on electro-acoustic music. You can also pursue a minor in the music business. There are also many other specializations you can explore, including ethnomusicology, music education, music theory, and more.

You can collaborate with other students and faculty members to create new work, be a part of the Rice Composers Collective, and attend music festivals around the world. If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in music with a focus on performance, you can pursue a degree in music with an emphasis on violin performance. You can also minor in business.

5. Berklee College of Music

If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in music with a focus on performance, Berklee College of Music may be the school for you. There are more than 20 majors you can choose from, including contemporary musical improvisation, music education, music therapy, music composition, music production, and more. You can also pursue a career in music entrepreneurship by studying music business. There are also minors you can choose from, including Brazilian music, music theory, music production, and more.

You can be a part of many organizations including Berklee Global Voices, Berklee New Jazz Collective, and Berklee Wireless Ensemble. There are also many other opportunities available to you through Berklee’s network. There are many cities where Berklee has campuses, including Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, and Valencia, Spain.

6. Northwestern University

If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in music performance, Northwestern University may be the school for you. This selective school has several programs you can choose from, including jazz, commercial music (live performance), classical voice, and more. All music majors study music theory, music history, and music composition. If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in music technology, you can study audio recording and music production.

There are also minors you can pursue, including music entrepreneurship, music cognition, and more. There are also many opportunities available to you through Northwestern’s network, including music festivals and collaborations with other universities.

7. The University of Texas at Austin

If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in music with a focus on commercial music, The University of Texas at Austin may be the school for you. This public university has a thriving music program, including the Bates Full-Time Program in Commercial Music. You can study composition, commercial music, ethnomusicology, music theory, musicology, music education, music performance, and music technology.

If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in music with a focus on composition, you can study composition and creative practice. You can also pursue a minor in music. There are also many opportunities available to you through UT Austin’s network, including international collaborations.

8. Duke University

If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in music with a focus on music theory, Duke University may be the school for you. This selective university has a world-renowned music program, and students have access to world-class faculty, facilities, and opportunities. You can study ethnomusicology, musicology, music theory, piano performance, and voice performance.

There are also many minors you can pursue, including entrepreneurship, music cognition, music technology, and more. There are also many opportunities available to you through Duke’s network, including music festivals and collaborations with other universities.

9. Columbia University

If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in music with a focus on music performance, Columbia University may be the school for you. This selective school has a thriving music program and offers students a wide range of music disciplines to choose from, including ethnomusicology, music composition, music education, music theory, musicology, and more.

There are also many minors you can pursue, including music entrepreneurship, music cognition, and more. There are also many opportunities available to you through Columbia’s network, including music festivals and collaborations with other universities.

10. Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University may be the institution for you if you want to study music composition. With world-class faculty, facilities, and opportunities, this selective university has a renowned music program. You can study ethnomusicology, music theory, orchestration, and music composition.

Entrepreneurship, music cognition, and other subjects are among the many minors you can choose from. Through CMU’s network, you can also take part in music festivals and collaboration with other universities, among other things.

Conclusion

Regardless of where you decide to attend school, it’s important to consider how that school will fit into your overall plan for the future. Keep in mind that despite the prestige of a particular school, what matters most is what you do once you’re there. With that being said, a top-notch school can provide you with an excellent opportunity to advance your education and increase your earning potential in the future.

To make the most of your college experience, it’s important to research schools in advance. By taking the time to explore different schools and learn about their culture and specialties, you can make sure that you’re choosing a school that’s right for you.

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