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2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Music

104 Ranked Colleges
1,360 Degrees Awarded
$38,302 Avg Salary
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,360 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,735 and $124,256 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major” ranking, we looked at 104 colleges that offer a degree in music. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their music program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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 for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree music students.

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Music

1
World Mission University crest
World Mission University
Los Angeles, California

Out of the 104 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major that were part of this year’s ranking, World Mission University landed the #1 spot on the list. World Mission University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

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 World Mission University

2
Juilliard crest
The Juilliard School
New York, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The Juilliard School. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major. Juilliard is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full The Juilliard School Music Report

3
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 #3 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major. New York, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music degrees to 16 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Music at Manhattan School of Music

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The New England Conservatory of Music. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music degrees to 4 students in 2021-2022.

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%. 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

5
University of Rochester crest
University of Rochester
Rochester, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Rochester. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major. University of Rochester is a fairly large school located in Rochester, New York that handed out 38 doctorate’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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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.

Full University of Rochester Music Report

6

Cleveland Institute of Music did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major ranking, coming in at #6. Cleveland Institute of Music is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 1 doctorate’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Music at Cleveland Institute of Music

7
CUA crest
Catholic University of America
Washington, District of Columbia

Catholic University of America came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. This small school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

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 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Music at Catholic University of America

8
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, Virginia

With a ranking of #8, Shenandoah University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major list. Shenandoah is a small school located in Winchester, Virginia that handed out 12 doctorate’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Full Shenandoah University Music Report

9
Five Towns College crest
Five Towns College
Dix Hills, New York

Five Towns College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Five Towns College is a small school located in Dix Hills, New York that handed out 2 doctorate’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. 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%.

Full Five Towns College Music Report

10
The Graduate Center crest
The Graduate Center, CUNY
New York, New York

With a ranking of #10, The Graduate Center, CUNY did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major list. The Graduate Center is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 18 doctorate’s degrees 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% 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%.

Read full report on Music at The Graduate Center, CUNY

11
UHart crest
University of Hartford
West Hartford, Connecticut

University of Hartford landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. West Hartford, Connecticut is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music degrees to 10 students in 2021-2022.

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 2.3% 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%.

Read more about Music at UHart

12
Claremont Graduate University crest
Claremont Graduate University
Claremont, California

With a ranking of #12, Claremont Graduate University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major list. Located in Claremont, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s music students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Music at Claremont Graduate University

13
University of Mobile crest
University of Mobile
Mobile, Alabama

With a ranking of #13, University of Mobile did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major list. Mobile, Alabama is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s music degrees to 2 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 University of Mobile Music Report

14

With a ranking of #14, California Institute of the Arts did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major list. This small school is located in Valencia, California, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Music at CalArts

15
SUNY Stony Brook crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York

Stony Brook University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Stony Brook, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s music degrees to 41 students in 2021-2022.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Music at SUNY Stony Brook

16
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 49 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s music students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read more about Music at Michigan State

17
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida

University of Miami ranked #17 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major list. University of Miami is a fairly large school located in Coral Gables, Florida that handed out 32 doctorate’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 U Miami Music Report

18

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. UC is a large public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 47 doctorate’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

19

University of North Texas landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school awarded 45 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s music students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UNT Music Report

20
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, Texas

Rice University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Rice is located in Houston, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s music degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Music at Rice University

21

University of Northern Colorado came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Located in Greeley, Colorado, this medium-sized public school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s music students 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 University of Northern Colorado Music Report

22

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #22 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major list. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s music students 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%.

Read full report on Music at University of Missouri - Kansas City

23

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 50 doctorate’s music degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full IU Bloomington Music Report

24

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 16 doctorate’s music degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%.

Full UNL Music Report

25
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school handed out 22 degrees to qualified doctorate’s music students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Music at Florida State University

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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