2027 Best Jazz Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Jazz Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their jazz studies programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for jazz studies students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Jazz Studies in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall jazz studies education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Jazz Studies
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. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 16 jazz studies degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their jazz studies degree from Michigan State University earn around $40,570 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from Michigan State University
A rank of #2 makes Depaul University one of the top schools for jazz studies. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. Depaul University awarded about 15 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Jazz Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $22,885 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,334 to complete this degree.
Read more about the jazz studies program at Depaul University
Students looking for a strong jazz studies program will find one at Oberlin College, which ranked #3. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at Oberlin College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $17,141. Typical student debt for the program is $26,200.
Get the full jazz studies details for Oberlin College
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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 · 3 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.
