2026 Best Jazz Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
Jazz Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools to find the best for jazz studies students.
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Featured Jazz Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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Best Schools for Jazz Studies in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall jazz studies education in the Far Western Region.
Top Schools in Jazz Studies
University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in jazz studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 14 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $18,823. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete this degree.
Get the full jazz studies details for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best jazz studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 18 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $23,244 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,976.
Read more about the jazz studies program at University Of Southern California
California Institute Of The Arts came in at #3 on our 2026 list of 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. There were roughly 11 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent data 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. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from California Institute Of The Arts
Students looking for a strong jazz studies program will find one at University Of Nevada Las Vegas, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Las Vegas. University Of Nevada Las Vegas graduates 50% of students within six years. About 13 jazz studies degrees were awarded at University Of Nevada Las Vegas in the most recent year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $47,151 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree.
See the full jazz studies program report for University Of Nevada Las Vegas
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 10 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.