Jazz Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best jazz studies schools.
Where you study jazz studies matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Jazz Studies rankings. For our Best Overall Jazz Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Jazz Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Michigan State University, our #1 school for jazz studies. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 16 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Jazz Studies graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $40,570 early in their careers. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans.
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A rank of #2 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for jazz studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,823 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in jazz studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 25 jazz studies degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $23,244 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from University Of Southern California
University Of North Texas came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best jazz studies schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 jazz studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $36,763. Students borrow a median of $24,456 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong jazz studies program will find one at University Of Miami, which ranked #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $23,991. Students borrow a median of $13,998 to complete this degree.
Read more about the jazz studies program at University Of Miami
University Of Oregon earned the #6 position for jazz studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Eugene. About 72% of students finish within six years. University Of Oregon awarded about 10 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $20,707 in their early career. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $20,583 in student loans.
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Temple University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best jazz studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 jazz studies degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $20,667. Temple University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from Temple University
Depaul University placed #8 among the best jazz studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Depaul University awarded about 15 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $22,885 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,334.
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The New School placed #9 among the best jazz studies schools. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 57 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $15,510 in their early career. The New School graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
See the full jazz studies program report for The New School
University Of Rochester came in at #10 for jazz studies this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $27,409 in their early career. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $26,769 in student loans.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from University Of Rochester
Cuny City College came in at #11 for jazz studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. Cuny City College awarded about 14 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their jazz studies degree from Cuny City College earn around $19,145 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny City College graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
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Suny At Purchase College came in at #12 for jazz studies this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Suny At Purchase College awarded about 13 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $22,569. Typical student debt for the program is $22,179.
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Oberlin College earned the #13 position for jazz studies this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Oberlin College awarded about 14 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $17,141 in their early career. Oberlin College graduates carry a median of $26,200 in student loans.
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Cuny Queens College landed the #14 spot for jazz studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Queens. About 53% of students finish within six years. Cuny Queens College awarded about 15 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their jazz studies degree from Cuny Queens College earn around $27,902 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,157.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from Cuny Queens College
California Institute Of The Arts placed #15 among the best jazz studies schools. Located in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 jazz studies degrees were awarded at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent year. Students who receive their jazz studies degree from California Institute Of The Arts earn around $18,373 in the first couple years of their career. California Institute Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans.
See the full jazz studies program report for California Institute Of The Arts
The Juilliard School landed the #16 spot for jazz studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The Juilliard School graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at The Juilliard School in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from The Juilliard School generally make around $14,101. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full jazz studies program report for The Juilliard School
Manhattan School Of Music earned the #17 position for jazz studies this year. Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 jazz studies degrees were awarded at Manhattan School Of Music in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Manhattan School Of Music generally make around $18,441. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full jazz studies program report for Manhattan School Of Music
The New England Conservatory Of Music earned the #18 position for jazz studies this year. The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 jazz studies degrees were awarded at The New England Conservatory Of Music in the most recent year. Jazz Studies graduates of The New England Conservatory Of Music earn a median of $24,499 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,991 to complete this degree.
Read more about the jazz studies program at The New England Conservatory Of Music
Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music earned the #19 position for jazz studies this year. Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public school located in the city of San Juan. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 jazz studies degrees were awarded at Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music in the most recent year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $5,005 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the jazz studies program at Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music
Jazz Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
