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2026 Best Jazz Studies Master’s Degree Schools

15 Colleges in the United States
168 Jazz Studies Degrees Awarded
$24,375 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 85 schools to find the best for jazz studies students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Jazz Studies in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in jazz studies, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Jazz Studies

1

Our analysis ranked University Of California Los Angeles the best school in the country for a degree in jazz studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 14 jazz studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $15,520. Typical student debt for the program is $23,119. See the full jazz studies program report for University Of California Los Angeles

2

University Of North Texas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in jazz studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 jazz studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $34,346 early in their careers. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $24,456 in student loans. See the full jazz studies program report for University Of North Texas

3
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

A rank of #3 makes The New School one of the top schools for jazz studies. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The New School graduates 70% of students within six years. The New School awarded about 51 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Jazz Studies graduates of The New School earn a median of $18,911 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. Read more about the jazz studies program at The New School

4

Students looking for a strong jazz studies program will find one at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. About 53% of students finish within six years. Cuny Queens College awarded about 13 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. Read more about the jazz studies program at Cuny Queens College

5
The Juilliard School crest
The Juilliard School
New York, NY

A rank of #5 makes The Juilliard School one of the top schools for jazz studies. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 12 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at The Juilliard School in the most recent data year. Jazz Studies graduates of The Juilliard School earn a median of $14,101 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in jazz studies from The Juilliard School

6

Manhattan School Of Music landed the #6 spot for jazz studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. Manhattan School Of Music graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at Manhattan School Of Music in the most recent data year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $18,441 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in jazz studies from Manhattan School Of Music

7

The New England Conservatory Of Music earned the #7 position for jazz studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The New England Conservatory Of Music awarded about 12 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their jazz studies degree from The New England Conservatory Of Music earn around $24,499 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,991 to complete this degree. Get the full jazz studies details for The New England Conservatory Of Music

8

University Of Arkansas At Monticello ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best jazz studies schools. Set in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 38%. About 12 jazz studies degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas At Monticello in the most recent year. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $41,278 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,611. Read more about the jazz studies program at University Of Arkansas At Monticello

Other Jazz Studies Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Jazz Studies rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Jazz Studies
Associate's Degrees in Jazz Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Jazz Studies
View All Jazz Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 85 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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