The 10 Best Music Schools in the U.S.
If you have a passion for music and wish to make a career out of it, you may be deciding whether to attend a college dedicated to training musicians, namely, a conservatory.
In choosing a conservatory, you’ll receive an education that will provide you with the skills and opportunities needed to grow and flourish as a musical artist. At the same time, you’ll want a program that prepares you for a practical career in the music field.
Some schools, like Juilliard and Curtis, are well-known training grounds for classical music. Others, like the Berklee College of Music, focus on the contemporary music industry.
The 10 conservatories on this list offer some of the best music programs in the U.S. They were selected based on several factors, including reputation and record of accomplishment by alumni.
10 Best Music Conservatories in the U.S.
1. The Juilliard School
- Location: New York City
- Annual Tuition: $55,500
- Admission Rate: 9%
Founded in 1905, the Juilliard School can easily be considered the most prestigious music conservatory in the country — and for good reason.
The school offers a bachelor of music, a master’s of music, and a doctorate of music arts, as well as various combinations of the three. About 600 of Juilliard’s 650 students are music students (there is also a dramatic arts program).
Because the school is so small, it has no problem attracting top talent. Admission is highly competitive and requires a live audition. Juilliard can help subsidize travel costs for auditions.
First-year students are required to live in student housing, almost all of which is located around the Lincoln Center area of NYC.
- Notable Alumni: Miles Davis, Yo-Yo Ma, and Renée Fleming
2. Curtis Institute of Music
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Annual Tuition: $0
- Admission Rate: 4%
Founded in 1924, the Philadelphia-based Curtis Institute of Music is likely the most selective conservatory in the country. The entire undergraduate student body consistently hovers around 150 students, 100% of whom receive a full-tuition scholarship (though housing costs are not included).
The rigorous music education students receive at Curtis can propel them into successful musical careers. Students can participate in any of the four campus ensembles, all of which are led by an elite faculty.
Vocal graduates have gone on to sing with the Met, La Scala, and other internationally famous opera companies, while Curtis musicians currently occupy principal chairs in every major American symphony.
- Notable Alumni: Leonard Bernstein, Alan Gilbert, Jascha Brodsky, and Lang Lang
3. Berklee College of Music
- Location: Boston, MA
- Annual Tuition: $53,510
- Admission Rate: 50%
Unlike many of the conservatories on this list, Berklee is firmly focused on the study and practice of contemporary music rather than classical music.
Founded in 1945, it was the first music school in the United States to include jazz in its curriculum. Berklee consistently ranks in the top 10 of American conservatories.
With over 8,000 students, Berklee is one of the biggest schools on this list. It offers students the choice of certificates, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in several different programs, the most popular of which include songwriting, general music performance, music management, music teacher education, and music therapy.
Berklee calls itself the “world’s premier learning lab for the music of today — and tomorrow.”
- Notable Alumni: Quincy Jones, Keith Jarrett, and Howard Shores
4. USC Thornton School of Music
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Annual Tuition: $73,260 per year
- Admission Rate: N/A
Part of the University of Southern California, the Thornton School of Music enrolls more than 1,000 students in contemporary, classical, or research degrees in music. Besides training the next generation of arts leaders, the Thornton School inspires students to equip others with musical skills through community engagement initiatives.
The school offers degrees in choral and sacred music, jazz studies, popular music, and vocal arts and opera, among other majors. About 74% of students complete their degrees within four years, which is higher than the national average of 64%.
About 72% of Thornton students receive financial aid that they do not have to pay back, including USC merit scholarships, alumni scholarships, and aid from outside sources.
- Notable Alumni: Ambrose Akinmusire, Owen Lee, Angela Meade
5. Oberlin Conservatory of Music
- Location: Oberlin, OH
- Annual Tuition: $66,410
- Admission Rate: 33%
Oberlin Conservatory of Music is the oldest conservatory in the country. Associated with Oberlin College, it maintains an excellent reputation and is especially well known for its programs in contemporary and baroque music and its unique technology in music and related arts (TIMARA) program.
Most students at Oberlin Conservatory opt for the traditional, four-year bachelor of music degree program. However, about a sizeable percentage choose the more rigorous, five-year dual-degree program.
Upon completion of the five-year program, students receive both a bachelor of arts from Oberlin College and a bachelor of music from Oberlin Conservatory. Many of the students admitted to the five-year program manage to complete their studies in fewer than five years.
Oberlin has graduates in every major ensemble in the United States.
- Notable Alumni: Robert Spano, Jennifer Koh, and Theo Croker
6. New England Conservatory of Music
- Location: Boston, MA
- Annual Tuition: $61,561
- Admission Rate: 43%
Located in Boston, the New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) is one of the largest conservatories in an urban setting. In fact, Boston’s college community remains a huge draw to prospective conservatory students.
Nearly half of the members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra have ties to the school, while Boston itself is a vibrant music community with several regional orchestras and performance ensembles.
The conservatory has established a joint degree program with Harvard in which 5-6 students each year can earn a bachelor’s degree at Harvard and a master’s degree in music from NEC.
The conservatory, founded in 1867, is also home to the 1,013-seat Jordan Hall, a National Historic Landmark and “one of the world’s most acoustically perfect performance spaces.”
- Notable Alumni: Anthony León, Stephanie Economou, Erica Petrocelli
7. Manhattan School of Music
- Location: New York City, NY
- Annual Tuition: $58,000
- Admission Rate: 40%
Located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the Manhattan School of Music offers a competitive environment that provides students with many valuable opportunities.
Founded in 1917, the conservatory is especially respected for its jazz department, which has produced a long roster of notable alumni. But the conservatory isn’t just about jazz. In fact, the Manhattan School of Music boasts strong programs all around, all of which are headed by a first-class faculty that includes members of the New York City Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
Popular degrees offered include a doctorate of music arts and a master of music in classical studies, jazz arts, or orchestra performance.
First-year students are required to live in student housing, and approximately 85% of all students receive some sort of financial aid.
- Notable Alumni: Harry Connick, Jr., Herbie Hancock, Hugh Masakela, and Herbie Mann
8. Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
- Location: Bloomington, IN
- Annual Tuition: $10,622 for residents, $40,370 for non-residents
- Admission Rate: N/A
Jacobs School of Music is the largest accredited music school in the nation, enrolling more than 1,500 students from all 50 states and 55-plus foreign countries.
Established in 1921, it offers more than 70 degree options, including bachelor of music, master of arts, master of music, and doctor of music degrees in a wide variety of musical fields.
Students are required to participate in at least one ensemble each semester. There are over 30 ensembles to choose from, including choirs, bands, and orchestras.
Jacobs consistently ranks among the top music schools in the nation, and Jacobs students are frequent winners in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in New York City each spring.
The school’s 180+ full-time faculty members include internationally renowned performers.
- Notable Alumni: Joshua Bell, Leonard Slatkin, Booker T. Jones, and Sylvia McNair
9. University of Rochester Eastman School of Music
- Location: Rochester, NY
- Annual Tuition: $69,030
- Admission Rate: 13%
Though Eastman School of Music is a true conservatory, students have the option of taking academic classes or pursuing a minor through Eastman’s sponsor, the University of Rochester. Eastman consistently ranks among the top-rated conservatories in the nation.
With a student body of only 900 people, Eastman is one of the more selective conservatories, accepting fewer than 15% of applicants. Nearly every student receives a scholarship, which is an important benefit, considering it is also one of the most expensive conservatories.
Eastman is known for its outstandingly rigorous program. Its graduate program is especially respected, drawing prospective students from other conservatories. Eastman has produced many successful alumni and has former students in every major orchestra in the country.
- Notable Alumni: Renée Fleming, William Warfield, and Maria Schneider
10. San Francisco Conservatory of Music
- Location: San Francisco, CA
- Annual Tuition: $56,400
- Admission Rate: 52%
San Francisco Conservatory of Music is a smaller conservatory located in the city’s Civic Center — a mere stone’s throw from the San Francisco Symphony and Opera House.
Though the city of San Francisco remains a big draw for prospective music students, the San Francisco Conservatory remains one of the least competitive on this list, accepting more than 50% of applicants.
Almost all of the conservatory’s students receive a scholarship of some kind, and student housing is located throughout San Francisco’s many desirable neighborhoods.
The Conservatory’s programs are widely respected across the board, though its graduate chamber music program stands out as one of the top programs in the country.
Students of all degree levels have several performance opportunities in and around the Bay Area, and an impressive one-third of the conservatory’s faculty hail from the world-renowned San Francisco Symphony.
- Notable Alumni: George Duke, Barbara Eden, and Isaac Stern
Other Top Music Schools in the U.S.
These schools just missed our cutoff for the top 10, but are still among the best music schools in the U.S.
| Music Conservatories | Location | Public or Private | Admission Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Institute of Music | Cleveland, OH | Private | 38% |
| Colburn Conservatory of Music | Los Angeles, CA | Private | N/A |
| Los Angeles College of Music | Pasadena, CA | Private | 81% |
| Mannes College-The New School for Music | New York City | Private | 33% |
| Peabody Conservatory-Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | Private | 8% |
What Is a Music Conservatory?
A music conservatory is a post-secondary educational institution that primarily trains musicians to perform using an instrument or voice. Conservatories can be freestanding institutions, but many operate as part of a larger college or university system.
Undergraduate students at conservatories complete music studies and general education requirements, while graduate students focus solely on their music studies and related disciplines.
Choosing a Music Conservatory: 4 Key Factors
Conservatories present golden opportunities for some students, but these schools are often challenging and expensive. It’s critical that you choose the right conservatory to help you reach your goals.
- 1
Check for Accreditation
Accreditation helps you access federal and state financial aid opportunities and makes your music degree more valuable in the marketplace.
Your conservatory should hold institutional accreditation with the appropriate regional accrediting body, such as the Higher Learning Commission or the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It may also be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the National Association of Schools of Music.
- 2
Consider Your Musical Goals and Areas of Interest
What do you want your degree to do for you after you leave your conservatory? Your answer should help you narrow down your field of interest.
For example, some schools focus on the study of classical music, while others specialize in jazz or contemporary music. Still others may emphasize performance, conducting, composition, or audio engineering.
- 3
Location
Location is important for two reasons: networking and career opportunities. Your school’s location will determine what musicians, conductors, and music business professionals you interact with.
Since there are a limited number of music conservatories in the U.S., you will probably need to relocate for school. Realistically, can you move to the area where your conservatory is located?
- 4
Career Services and Job Placement Rates
Ask your admissions counselor to send you data about the school’s job placement rate, including how many students hold full-time employment in music within six months of graduation and their median salary. You can also ask to speak to a career services representative who can tell you how the conservatory helps students transition from school to professional life.
How to Get Into a Music Conservatory School
Conservatories have a very different admissions process from traditional colleges. Their processes can also vary among themselves depending on the type of conservatory, program, and degree you are pursuing. More prestigious conservatories often have stricter admission policies than less-recognized music schools.
Be sure to thoroughly research your top schools’ requirements before applying, especially if you are aiming for admission to one of the more prestigious conservatories. Some admissions requirements you can expect to find across music schools include:
- Application materials (e.g., resume, transcripts, and personal statement)
- Ability to demonstrate proficiency in the area you’re pursuing (e.g., performance, music technology, conducting, etc.)
- Auditions and/or interviews with department faculty
Frequently Asked Questions About Music Degrees and Conservatories
You can use your music degree to join an orchestra, open a private study, or participate in a chamber ensemble. Some conservatory graduates work as conductors or artists-in-residence at museums, cathedrals, churches, or universities.
Adding a master’s in music can qualify you to teach at the university level. Alternatively, you can use your music degree as a foundation to pursue further study as a music therapist, talent manager, or entertainment lawyer.
