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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major

1,374 Ranked Colleges
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Schools Highly Focused on Music Major

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on Music Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2021-2022, 25,860 people earned their degree in music, making the major the 43rd most popular in the United States. In , music graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $27,123 and had an average of $27,532 in loans still to pay off.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Music Major” ranking, we looked at 1,374 colleges that offer a degree in music. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in music.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Music Schools

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Music Major” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools Highly Focused on Music Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Music Major”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Music

1
California Jazz Conservatory crest
California Jazz Conservatory
Berkeley, California

Out of the 1,374 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Music Major that were part of this year’s ranking, California Jazz Conservatory landed the #1 spot on the list. California Jazz Conservatory is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 5 ’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at California Jazz Conservatory

2

Out of the 1,374 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Music Major that were part of this year’s ranking, The New England Conservatory of Music landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 218 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full The New England Conservatory of Music Music Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cleveland Institute of Music. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major list. Cleveland Institute of Music is located in Cleveland, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 96 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Music at Cleveland Institute of Music

4
LACM crest
Los Angeles College of Music
Pasadena, California

Out of the 1,374 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Music Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Los Angeles College of Music landed the #4 spot on the list. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 40 ’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Los Angeles College of Music Music Report

5
Manhattan School of Music crest
Manhattan School of Music
New York, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Manhattan School of Music. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Music Major. Located in New York, New York, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 318 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Music at Manhattan School of Music

6
SFCM crest
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
San Francisco, California

San Francisco Conservatory of Music ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Music Major list. SFCM is a small school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 134 ’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at SFCM

7

Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this small public school awarded 65 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Music at Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music

8
Juilliard crest
The Juilliard School
New York, New York

With a ranking of #8, The Juilliard School did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major list. This small school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 274 ’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Music at The Juilliard School

9

With a ranking of #9, Longy School of Music of Bard College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 25 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Longy School of Music of Bard College Music Report

10
Curtis Institute of Music crest
Curtis Institute of Music
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Curtis Institute of Music did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major ranking, coming in at #10. Curtis Institute of Music is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 62 ’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 2 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Curtis Institute of Music Music Report

11

With a ranking of #11, International College of Broadcasting did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major list. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s music degrees to 10 students in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full International College of Broadcasting Music Report

12
LA Film School crest
Los Angeles Film School
Hollywood, California

With a ranking of #12, Los Angeles Film School did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major list. Los Angeles Film School is located in Hollywood, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 578 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at LA Film School

13
Berklee College of Music crest
Berklee College of Music
Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #13, Berklee College of Music did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major list. Berklee College of Music is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 823 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Music at Berklee College of Music

14

Atlanta Institute of Music and Media did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major ranking, coming in at #14. AIMM is a small school located in Duluth, Georgia that handed out 43 ’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Atlanta Institute of Music and Media Music Report

15
Musicians Institute crest
Musicians Institute
Hollywood, California

Musicians Institute came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Musicians Institute is a small school located in Hollywood, California that handed out 170 ’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Musicians Institute Music Report

16
Seattle Film Institute crest
Seattle Film Institute
Seattle, Washington

Seattle Film Institute landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Seattle Film Institute is a small school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 11 ’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Seattle Film Institute Music Report

17

California Institute of the Arts came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. CalArts is a private not-for-profit institution located in Valencia, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Music at CalArts

18
Five Towns College crest
Five Towns College
Dix Hills, New York

Five Towns College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Dix Hills, New York, and it awarded 30 ’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at Five Towns College

19

The Baptist College of Florida did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Graceville, Florida, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Music at BCF

20
Lawrence U crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, Wisconsin

Lawrence University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Lawrence University is located in Appleton, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 57 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Lawrence University Music Report

21

University of North Carolina School of the Arts ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Music Major list. Located in Winston Salem, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 48 degrees to qualified ’s music students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Music at University of North Carolina School of the Arts

22
Oberlin crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio

Oberlin College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Oberlin College is located in Oberlin, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 140 ’s music degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at Oberlin

23
Cornish College of the Arts crest
Cornish College of the Arts
Seattle, Washington

Cornish College of the Arts ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Music Major list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s music students in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Music at Cornish College of the Arts

24
OCU crest
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s music degrees to 93 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Music at Oklahoma City University

25
Bethesda crest
Bethesda University
Anaheim, California

Bethesda University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Bethesda University is a small school located in Anaheim, California that handed out 2 ’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Bethesda Music Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools Highly Focused on Music Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
29
New School University crest
The New School
New York, NY
30
Bard crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
31
UHart crest
University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT
32
Calvary crest
Calvary University
Kansas City, MO
33
34
Bennington crest
Bennington College
Bennington, VT
35
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA
36
37
Purchase College crest
Purchase College
Purchase, NY
38
39
40
Messiah crest
Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, PA
41
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN
42
43
44
45
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
46
SUNY Fredonia crest
SUNY Fredonia
Fredonia, NY
47
Rider crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ
48
49
50
SUNY Potsdam crest
SUNY Potsdam
Potsdam, NY

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools Highly Focused on Music Major

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Belmont UniversityNashville, TN
52Northwest CollegePowell, WY
53Wheaton College IllinoisWheaton, IL
54Toccoa Falls CollegeToccoa Falls, GA
54Fisk UniversityNashville, TN
56Edward Waters CollegeJacksonville, FL
57Holy Names UniversityOakland, CA
58Ithaca CollegeIthaca, NY
59Capital UniversityColumbus, OH
60Catholic University of AmericaWashington, DC
61Brevard CollegeBrevard, NC
62Southern Virginia UniversityBuena Vista, VA
63Rollins CollegeWinter Park, FL
64Talladega CollegeTalladega, AL
65Lebanon Valley CollegeAnnville, PA
RankCollegeLocation
66Goshen CollegeGoshen, IN
67Full Sail UniversityWinter Park, FL
68Arkansas Baptist CollegeLittle Rock, AR
69Bethel College - North NewtonNorth Newton, KS
70Nyack CollegeNew York, NY
71Houghton CollegeHoughton, NY
72Baldwin Wallace UniversityBerea, OH
73Dillard UniversityNew Orleans, LA
74Cogswell CollegeSan Jose, CA
75University of MobileMobile, AL
76Valley City State UniversityValley City, ND
77Rice UniversityHouston, TX
78SUNY Schenectady County Community CollegeSchenectady, NY
79Cairn UniversityLanghorne, PA
80Greenville UniversityGreenville, IL
81Snow CollegeEphraim, UT
82Concordia College at MoorheadMoorhead, MN
83Loyola University New OrleansNew Orleans, LA
84Bethany Lutheran CollegeMankato, MN
85Brewton - Parker CollegeMount Vernon, GA
86The Master’s University and SeminarySanta Clarita, CA
87Centenary College of LouisianaShreveport, LA
88Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT
89Westmont CollegeSanta Barbara, CA
90Lane CollegeJackson, TN
RankCollegeLocation
90Allen UniversityColumbia, SC
92Stetson UniversityDeLand, FL
93Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro, TN
94DePauw UniversityGreencastle, IN
95Butler UniversityIndianapolis, IN
96Stephen F Austin State UniversityNacogdoches, TX
97University of North TexasDenton, TX
98University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL
99Principia CollegeElsah, IL
100University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas City, MO
101Southwestern Adventist UniversityKeene, TX
102Northwest UniversityKirkland, WA
103Wittenberg UniversitySpringfield, OH
104DigiPen Institute of TechnologyRedmond, WA
105Lee UniversityCleveland, TN
106University of MontevalloMontevallo, AL
107Washington CollegeChestertown, MD
108Texas A&M University - KingsvilleKingsville, TX
109Northern Vermont UniversityJohnson, VT
110Indiana University - BloomingtonBloomington, IN
111Carthage CollegeKenosha, WI
112Bethune - Cookman UniversityDaytona Beach, FL
113Maranatha Baptist UniversityWatertown, WI
114University of North Carolina at AshevilleAsheville, NC
115Wesleyan CollegeMacon, GA
RankCollegeLocation
116Mars Hill UniversityMars Hill, NC
117Mills CollegeOakland, CA
118Lynn UniversityBoca Raton, FL
119Kentucky State UniversityFrankfort, KY
120Bowling Green State University - Main CampusBowling Green, OH
121Ave Maria UniversityAve Maria, FL
122Welch CollegeGallatin, TN
123University of Central OklahomaEdmond, OK
124Converse CollegeSpartanburg, SC
125Point UniversityWest Point, GA
126Texas Lutheran UniversitySeguin, TX
127Albright CollegeReading, PA
128Illinois Wesleyan UniversityBloomington, IL
129University of Maine at AugustaAugusta, ME
130Muhlenberg CollegeAllentown, PA
131Truman State UniversityKirksville, MO
132Central State UniversityWilberforce, OH
133Susquehanna UniversitySelinsgrove, PA
134Southern Oregon UniversityAshland, OR
135Columbus State UniversityColumbus, GA
136Hampshire CollegeAmherst, MA
137William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ
138Elizabeth City State UniversityElizabeth City, NC
139Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main CampusIndiana, PA
140Howard Payne UniversityBrownwood, TX
RankCollegeLocation
141Western Connecticut State UniversityDanbury, CT
141Bridgewater CollegeBridgewater, VA
143Sewanee - The University of the SouthSewanee, TN
144New Jersey City UniversityJersey City, NJ
145University of Northern ColoradoGreeley, CO
146Claflin UniversityOrangeburg, SC
147University of Cincinnati - Main CampusCincinnati, OH
148Salem CollegeWinston-Salem, NC
149Eureka CollegeEureka, IL
150Millersville University of PennsylvaniaMillersville, PA
151Ramapo College of New JerseyMahwah, NJ
152Lamar State College - Port ArthurPort Arthur, TX
153Texas CollegeTyler, TX
154Bob Jones UniversityGreenville, SC
155University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver, CO
156Greensboro CollegeGreensboro, NC
156Furman UniversityGreenville, SC
158Coe CollegeCedar Rapids, IA
159Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco, CA
160University of MemphisMemphis, TN
161Grace Christian UniversityWyoming, MI
162Washington & Jefferson CollegeWashington, PA
163Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL
164Inter American University of Puerto Rico - San GermanSan German, PR
165Simpson CollegeIndianola, IA
RankCollegeLocation
166Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston, IL
167Urshan CollegeWentzville, MO
167Miles CollegeFairfield, AL
169Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, CA
170Benedictine CollegeAtchison, KS
170LaGrange CollegeLagrange, GA
172Corban UniversitySalem, OR
173University of Arkansas at MonticelloMonticello, AR
174Virginia Wesleyan UniversityVirginia Beach, VA
175Eastern UniversitySaint Davids, PA
176University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, MS
177Shorter UniversityRome, GA
178University of TulsaTulsa, OK
179Nazareth CollegeRochester, NY
180Asbury UniversityWilmore, KY
181West Texas A&M UniversityCanyon, TX
182Wisconsin Lutheran CollegeMilwaukee, WI
183Occidental CollegeLos Angeles, CA
184Washington Adventist UniversityTakoma Park, MD
185Morehead State UniversityMorehead, KY
186West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA
187Huston - Tillotson UniversityAustin, TX
188Gustavus Adolphus CollegeSaint Peter, MN
189Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityWest Palm Beach, FL
190Bethel University - MishawakaMishawaka, IN
RankCollegeLocation
191Le Moyne - Owen CollegeMemphis, TN
192Colorado State University - PuebloPueblo, CO
193Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown, CT
194Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeOwensboro, KY
195Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville, AL
196Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL
197Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma, WA
198Berea CollegeBerea, KY
199Wheaton College MassachusettsNorton, MA
200University of Central ArkansasConway, AR
201Biola UniversityLa Mirada, CA
202Allegheny CollegeMeadville, PA
203Wartburg CollegeWaverly, IA
204Rochester UniversityRochester Hills, MI
205Skidmore CollegeSaratoga Springs, NY
206Eastern New Mexico University - Main CampusPortales, NM
207Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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