The 19 Best Schools for Music in the US

Whether your goal is to perform with an orchestra or ensemble, sing opera or on Broadway, or become a composer, recording artist, or music producer, you need the right education. Here are the 19 best schools for music.

19. Musicians Institute: Los Angeles, California

Musicians Institute (MI) is one of the nation’s largest music schools, home to roughly 1,425 students. It has a 96 percent admissions rate. The curriculum is focused on contemporary music and helping students acquire the necessary creative skills to develop a career in music from performing to audio engineering. It offers Associate and Bachelor degrees, certificates, and alternative non-degree programs.

18. Colburn Conservatory of Music: Los Angeles, California

You will find a comprehensive curriculum at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, which includes one-on-one instruction, music theory, ear training, music history, orchestra, and a robust chamber music program. There is a competitive admissions program, with only eight percent of applicants accepted each year. However, students receive a full scholarship that includes free tuition and room and board.

17. Bard College Conservatory of Music: Annandale-on-Hudson, New York

Bard features an elite faculty, many of whom also teach at Curtis and Juilliard. The school offers a five-year undergraduate degree program that allows students to obtain both a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in a subject other than music. Classes are offered in orchestral and chamber instruments, vocal arts, conducting, composition, and collaborative piano.

16. Los Angeles College of Music: Pasadena, California

This private school is focused on small classes and accepts roughly 150 students per year. Its six-quarter program offers a non-transferrable professional degree in drums, guitar, bass, or voice. All faculty are current industry professionals, and master classes feature well-known artists. It also offers bachelor’s in music producing and recording, brass & woodwinds, and music business.

15. New World Symphony: Miami Beach, Florida

New World is the world’s only full-time orchestral academy. This intensive three-year program prepares students for careers in symphony orchestras and ensembles. It also presents a full season of concerts featuring full orchestras, chamber music, ensembles, and more. To its credit, the school has produced roughly 900 alumni who are currently working in 170 orchestras in 17 countries.

14. Jacobs School of Music-Indiana University: Bloomington, Indiana

This competitive music conservatory requires a live or recorded audition, and only 25 percent of applicants are accepted, roughly 200 students per year. Students must participate in one ensemble each semester, which ranges from 13 choirs to eight bands to seven orchestras. Jacobs offers bachelor, master, and doctorate music degrees in various musical fields.

13. Academy of Vocal Arts: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Academy of Vocal Arts was founded to give aspiring opera singers a place to train without financial burdens, providing free higher education to future opera stars. Only 28 singers are accepted each year. The curriculum focuses on one-on-one instruction with vocal coaches and conductors. Students also learn French, German, Italian, dance and movement, stagecraft, opera history, and more.

12. Oberlin Conservatory of Music: Oberlin, Ohio

Photo by Oberlin College and Conservatory

Oberlin offers both a traditional four-year bachelor’s degree program and a five-year dual-degree program. In the latter, however, many students complete their studies in fewer than five years. The school is renowned for its programs in contemporary and Baroque music. While only 25 percent of applicants are admitted, 90 percent of those are also offered tuition assistance.

11. Eastman School of Music-University of Rochester: Rochester, New York

Eastman accepts fewer than 30 percent of applicants, resulting in a student body of roughly 900 each school year. Nearly every student receives a scholarship. The school has a rigorous program, and in addition to music studies, students can also take academic classes or pursue a minor through the University of Rochester.

10. Peabody Conservatory-Johns Hopkins University: Baltimore, Maryland

For more than 150 years, Peabody has produced numerous respected music professionals and artists. The school encourages collaboration rather than competition. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in majors such as jazz performance, music education, recording arts and science, computer music, music theory, and more. The school’s programs also stress civic responsibility.

9. San Francisco Conservatory of Music: San Francisco, California

While prestigious, the small San Francisco Conservatory of Music is one of the least competitive schools. Roughly 40 percent of applicants are accepted each year to part of its 450 students. About 95 percent of students receive a scholarship. Student housing is located in the area’s many desirable neighborhoods. One-third of the faculty is from the world-renowned San Francisco Symphony.

8. Cleveland Institute of Music: Cleveland, Ohio

While smaller than most conservatories on this list, it provides many benefits, including lower tuition and housing costs. First-year students must live in student housing. Only 30 percent of applicants are accepted. However, close instruction and performance opportunities abound. Around 50 percent of the faculty are current or past members of the world-class Cleveland Orchestra.

7. Boston Conservatory: Boston, Massachusetts

This world-renowned school offers bachelor’s, master’s, diplomas, and certificates in music, music education, and musical theater. It’s one of the few conservatories that offers instructions in all major instruments, including harp and marimba, and vocals. Freshmen must live in student housing. Only 40 percent of applications are accepted, but the retention rate is 85 percent.

6. New England Conservatory of Music: Boston, Massachusetts

Admission is moderately competitive, with 30 percent of applicants accepted. Its popular programs include jazz, composition, and strings. The Conservatory’s newest program is entrepreneurial musicianship, which is aimed at helping students establish successful careers in the music industry. Almost half of the Boston Symphony Orchestra have ties to the school.

5. Mannes College-The New School for Music: New York, New York

Mannes College has become one of the top choices for serious young music students. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in classical music, jazz, composition, voice, performance, and more. It boasts an elite faculty that includes numerous well-respected composers, as well as current and past members of the Metropolitan Opera and New York Philharmonic.

4. Berklee College of Music: Boston, Massachusetts

Berklee focuses on the practice and study of contemporary music rather than classical music. It’s one of the largest schools, with 4,131 students. Berklee offers bachelor’s and master’s programs, as well as certificates. The most popular courses are songwriting, general music performance, music teacher education, and music management. Berklee’s alumni include countless Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winners.

3. Manhattan School of Music: New York, New York

This school is respected for its jazz department, and its alumni are some of the most notable jazz greats. However, its first-class faculty leads strong programs throughout. All students study music theory, music history, and various performance arts. Around 40 percent of applicants are admitted to join the student body of 400. Approximately 55 percent of students receive financial aid.

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2. Curtis Institute of Music: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Some of the greatest composers are alumni of Curtis Institute. Only 4 to 11 percent of applicants are accepted each year and must audition live. Around 150 students comprise the undergraduate body, and 100 percent receive a full-tuition scholarship (housing costs are not included). The education is rigorous but has been successful at propelling students into music careers.

1. Juilliard School: New York, New York

Juilliard is the most prestigious music conservatory in America. Many of its alumni are household names. The school offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees, as well as various combinations of the three. Competition is fierce, with only 16 percent of instrumental musicians and five percent of vocalists accepted yearly. The student body is roughly 650 students.