by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 15 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Music Master's Degree Schools in California ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 570 master's degrees in music to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
The music master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality music program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their master's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your master's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for music students working on their master's degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Music Master's Degree Schools in California list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for music students seeking a a master's degree.
University of Southern California is a great option for individuals pursuing a master's degree in music. USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles.
Soon after graduating, music master's recipients generally make an average of $27,510 in their early careers.
More information about a master’s in music from University of Southern California
San Francisco Conservatory of Music is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a master's degree in music. SFCM is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of San Francisco.
Master's recipients from the music program at San Francisco Conservatory of Music make $6,972 above the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a master’s in music from San Francisco Conservatory of Music
University of California - Los Angeles is a great decision for students interested in a master's degree in music. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Students who graduate with their master's from the music program report average early career wages of $15,520.
More information about a master’s in music from University of California - Los Angeles
It's hard to beat University of Redlands if you wish to pursue a master's degree in music. Located in the small city of Redlands, University of Redlands is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a master’s in music from University of Redlands
Located in the large suburb of Valencia, CalArts is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
After graduating, music master's recipients generally earn about $17,850 in their early careers.
More information about a master’s in music from California Institute of the Arts
Located in the large city of Northridge, CSUN is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Master's recipients from the music degree program at California State University - Northridge get $9,932 above the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a master’s in music from California State University - Northridge
Located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in music from University of California - Santa Barbara
Azusa Pacific is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Azusa.
Those music students who get their master's degree from Azusa Pacific University receive $8,948 more than the average music graduate.
More information about a master’s in music from Azusa Pacific University
CSULB is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Long Beach.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the music program make an average of $25,480 in their early career salary.
More information about a master’s in music from California State University - Long Beach
Located in the large suburb of Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in music from California State University - Fullerton
Explore all the Best Music Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 183 | 47 |
| Oregon | 158 | 63 |
| Nevada | 105 | 27 |
| Hawaii | 85 | 7 |
| Alaska | 52 | 0 |
Music is one of 10 different types of Visual & Performing Arts programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Music | 140 |
| Music Performance | 138 |
| Stringed Instruments | 57 |
| Other Music | 55 |
| Music Theory & Composition | 41 |
| Voice Performance | 41 |
| Jazz Studies | 24 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 15 |
| Musicology & Ethnomusicology | 13 |
| Brass Instruments | 13 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 877 |
| Fine & Studio Arts | 364 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 272 |
| Design & Applied Arts | 186 |
| Arts & Media Management | 55 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 54 |
| Dance | 45 |
| Other Visual Art | 7 |
