2026 Best Jazz Studies Schools in California
Jazz Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best jazz studies schools.
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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 California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the jazz studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Jazz Studies
Leading the list is University Of California Los Angeles, our #1 school 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. About 14 jazz studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $18,823 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,119.
Read more about the jazz studies program at University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in jazz studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 18 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $23,244 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,976 to complete this degree.
Get the full jazz studies details for University Of Southern California
A rank of #3 makes California Institute Of The Arts one of the top schools for jazz studies. California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 11 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $18,373 in their early 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
More Jazz Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 4 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.
