by our College Data Analytics TeamWe’ve pulled together the essential facts you should know about graduate study in music at USC. Graduate degrees are awarded at the Master’s, Doctoral, Professional Certificate levels, with undergraduate study also available. Its best result is a rank of #2 out of 3 schools (Doctoral level) by College Factual. Jump to any of the following sections:
By College Factual’s measure, USC as a strong choice for music, coming in at #66 out of 425 schools nationally.
| Ranking | Rank |
|---|---|
| Best Music Schools | 66 of 425 |
| Best Music Schools in California | 13 of 58 |
Here is each degree level granted in music at USC, along with how many graduates complete each level annually.
| Degree Level | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | 81 |
| Master’s | 78 |
| Doctoral | 31 |
| Professional Certificate | 19 |
For the most recent IPEDS reporting year, University of Southern California awarded 78 master’s degrees in music.
USC is among the very best schools in the country for music at the master’s level. In particular it placed #3 out of 14 schools by College Factual.
| Ranking | Rank |
|---|---|
| Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in California | 3 |
| Best Music Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region | 5 |
| Best Music Master’s Degree Schools | 31 |
The full-time graduate tuition and fees are shown below.
| In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $80,184 | $80,184 |
| Fees | $1,756 | $1,756 |
Read more about USC tuition and fees.
Among recent graduates, 45% of music master’s degrees went to men and 55% went to women.
The largest share of music master’s degree graduates at USC were White. Roughly 36% of graduates fell into this category.
The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from University of Southern California with a master’s in music.
| Ethnic Background | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Asian | 13 |
| Black or African American | 3 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 7 |
| White | 28 |
| Non-Resident Aliens | 26 |
| Other Races | 1 |
USC conferred 15 master’s completions in stringed instruments in the latest year of data — 67% to women and 33% to men. The largest share of these graduates were Non-Resident Alien (40%).
USC conferred 13 master’s degrees in voice and opera recently — 77% to women and 23% to men. The largest share of these graduates were White (46%).
USC conferred 11 master’s degrees in woodwind instruments in the latest year of data — 36% to women and 64% to men. Most of these graduates identified as White (55%).
USC awarded 7 master’s degrees in keyboard instruments in the most recent reporting year — 57% to women and 43% to men. The most common background among these graduates was Asian (29%).
USC conferred 4 master’s completions in music performance, general recently — 100% to women and 0% to men. The most common background among these graduates was Non-Resident Alien (75%).
USC awarded 3 master’s completions in brass instruments in the latest year of data — 67% to women and 33% to men. The most common background among these graduates was White (67%).
USC awarded 3 master’s completions in jazz/jazz studies recently — 0% to women and 100% to men. The most common background among these graduates was White (100%).
USC awarded 3 master’s completions in music theory and composition recently — 33% to women and 67% to men. Most of these graduates identified as White (67%).
USC awarded 1 master’s completion in music history, literature, and theory in the latest year of data — 100% to women and 0% to men. Most of these graduates identified as White (100%).
For the most recent IPEDS reporting year, University of Southern California awarded 31 doctoral degrees in music.
USC is among the very best schools in the country for music at the doctoral level. In particular it placed #2 out of 3 schools by College Factual.
| Ranking | Rank |
|---|---|
| Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools in California | 2 |
| Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region | 2 |
| Best Music Doctor’s Degree Schools | 11 |
Among recent graduates, 58% of music doctoral degrees went to men and 42% went to women.
The largest share of music doctoral degree graduates at USC were White. Roughly 42% of graduates fell into this category.
The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from University of Southern California with a doctoral in music.
| Ethnic Background | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Asian | 8 |
| Black or African American | 1 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1 |
| White | 13 |
| Non-Resident Aliens | 7 |
| Other Races | 1 |
USC granted 8 doctoral degrees in stringed instruments in the most recent reporting year — 12% to women and 88% to men. The largest share of these graduates were White (50%).
USC awarded 6 doctoral degrees in keyboard instruments in the latest year of data — 67% to women and 33% to men. The largest share of these graduates were Asian (33%).
USC granted 5 doctoral completions in music performance, general recently — 60% to women and 40% to men. The most common background among these graduates was Non-Resident Alien (40%).
USC granted 5 doctoral completions in voice and opera recently — 60% to women and 40% to men. Most of these graduates identified as White (80%).
USC granted 2 doctoral degrees in woodwind instruments in the latest year of data — 50% to women and 50% to men. The most common background among these graduates was Black or African American (50%).
USC conferred 1 doctoral completion in music theory and composition in the latest year of data — 0% to women and 100% to men. Most of these graduates identified as White (100%).
USC granted 1 doctoral degree in musicology and ethnomusicology in the latest year of data — 0% to women and 100% to men. The largest share of these graduates were White (100%).
For the most recent IPEDS reporting year, University of Southern California handed out 19 professional certificate degrees in music.
USC is not yet ranked for music at the professional certificate level.
Among recent graduates, 42% of music professional certificate degrees went to men and 58% went to women.
The largest share of music professional certificate degree graduates at USC were Non-Resident Alien. Approximately 32% of graduates fell into this category.
The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from University of Southern California with a professional certificate in music.
| Ethnic Background | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Asian | 5 |
| Black or African American | 1 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 4 |
| White | 1 |
| Non-Resident Aliens | 6 |
| Other Races | 2 |
USC conferred 19 professional certificate completions in music performance, general in the most recent reporting year — 58% to women and 42% to men. The largest share of these graduates were Non-Resident Alien (32%).
Undergraduate study is also available at USC. The following undergraduate award levels are reported.
| Undergraduate Level | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degrees in Music | 81 |