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2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major

1,073 Ranked Colleges
15,362 Degrees Awarded
$26,068 Avg Salary
Schools for a Bachelor's Highly Focused on Music Major

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Music is the 43rd most popular major in the country with 25,910 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, music graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $27,160 and had an average of $24,560 in loans still to pay off.

At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 15,362 music graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,682 and $26,217 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major” ranking, we looked at 1,073 colleges that offer a degree in music. That schools that top this list have a program in music in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Music Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
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More Music Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for bachelor’s degree music students.

Top 25 Most Focused Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Music

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music. The school came in at #1 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major. Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music is a small public school situated in San Juan, . It awarded 41 bachelors’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Music at Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music

2
California Jazz Conservatory crest
California Jazz Conservatory
Berkeley, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Jazz Conservatory. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major list. California Jazz Conservatory is a small school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 7 bachelors’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at California Jazz Conservatory

3
LACM crest
Los Angeles College of Music
Pasadena, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Los Angeles College of Music. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major. LACM is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 bachelors’s music degrees to qualified students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Music at LACM

4
Curtis Institute of Music crest
Curtis Institute of Music
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Curtis Institute of Music. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major. Curtis Institute of Music is a small school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 12 bachelors’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 2 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Music at Curtis Institute of Music

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cleveland Institute of Music. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major list. Cleveland Institute of Music is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 45 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Music at Cleveland Institute of Music

6

The New England Conservatory of Music landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. The New England Conservatory of Music is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 95 bachelors’s music degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full The New England Conservatory of Music Music Report

7
Juilliard crest
The Juilliard School
New York, New York

The Juilliard School came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Juilliard is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 85 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Music at Juilliard

8
Berklee College of Music crest
Berklee College of Music
Boston, Massachusetts

Berklee College of Music ranked #8 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major list. Berklee College of Music is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 553 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Berklee College of Music Music Report

9
Manhattan School of Music crest
Manhattan School of Music
New York, New York

Manhattan School of Music landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. This small school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 86 bachelors’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at Manhattan School of Music

10
SFCM crest
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #10, San Francisco Conservatory of Music did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major list. San Francisco Conservatory of Music is located in San Francisco, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 bachelors’s music degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Music at San Francisco Conservatory of Music

11
Musicians Institute crest
Musicians Institute
Hollywood, California

Musicians Institute landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Musicians Institute is a small school located in Hollywood, California that handed out 38 bachelors’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at Musicians Institute

12
Lawrence U crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #12, Lawrence University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major list. Lawrence U is a small school located in Appleton, Wisconsin that handed out 50 bachelors’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Lawrence U Music Report

13
Five Towns College crest
Five Towns College
Dix Hills, New York

Five Towns College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Five Towns College is located in Dix Hills, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 bachelors’s music degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Music at Five Towns College

14
Oberlin crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio

Oberlin College ranked #14 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major list. Oberlin, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s music degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Oberlin Music Report

15
Cornish College of the Arts crest
Cornish College of the Arts
Seattle, Washington

Cornish College of the Arts did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major ranking, coming in at #15. Cornish College of the Arts is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 bachelors’s music degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Music at Cornish College of the Arts

16
BCF crest
The Baptist College of Florida
Graceville, Florida

The Baptist College of Florida did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major ranking, coming in at #16. The Baptist College of Florida is located in Graceville, Florida and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 bachelors’s music degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Music at The Baptist College of Florida

17

Baptist University of the Americas came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s music degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Baptist University of the Americas Music Report

18
Bethesda crest
Bethesda University
Anaheim, California

With a ranking of #18, Bethesda University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major list. Bethesda is located in Anaheim, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 bachelors’s music degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Bethesda University Music Report

19
OCU crest
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Oklahoma City University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 66 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Music at OCU

20
CalArts crest
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California

California Institute of the Arts ranked #20 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major list. This small school is located in Valencia, California, and it awarded 27 bachelors’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Music at California Institute of the Arts

21

University of North Carolina School of the Arts ranked #21 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major list. UNCSA is a small public school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 19 bachelors’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Music at University of North Carolina School of the Arts

22
Mansfield University crest
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Mansfield, Pennsylvania

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major list. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania is a small school located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania that handed out 24 bachelors’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Mansfield University Music Report

23
Bennington crest
Bennington College
Bennington, Vermont

Bennington College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major ranking. Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bennington, Vermont. It awarded 18 bachelors’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Music at Bennington

24
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College ranked #24 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major list. Luther is a small school located in Decorah, Iowa that handed out 30 bachelors’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Music at Luther College

25
Visible Music College crest
Visible Music College
Memphis, Tennessee

Visible Music College ranked #25 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major list. Visible Music College is a small school located in Memphis, Tennessee that handed out 12 bachelors’s music degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Visible Music College Music Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
LA Film School crest
Los Angeles Film School
Hollywood, California
27
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota
28
UVF crest
University of Valley Forge
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
29
Millikin crest
Millikin University
Decatur, Illinois
30
UArts crest
The University of the Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
31
32
Calvary crest
Calvary University
Kansas City, Missouri
33
World Mission University crest
World Mission University
Los Angeles, California
34
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois
35
Fisk crest
Fisk University
Nashville, Tennessee
35
Toccoa Falls crest
Toccoa Falls College
Toccoa Falls, Georgia
37
SUNY Potsdam crest
SUNY Potsdam
Potsdam, New York
38
Purchase College crest
Purchase College
Purchase, New York
39
Edward Waters College crest
Edward Waters College
Jacksonville, Florida
40
HNU crest
Holy Names University
Oakland, California
41
Capital crest
Capital University
Columbus, Ohio
42
Belmont crest
Belmont University
Nashville, Tennessee
43
Columbia crest
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
44
Brevard College crest
Brevard College
Brevard, North Carolina
45
Rider crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, New Jersey
46
SVU crest
Southern Virginia University
Buena Vista, Virginia
47
SUNY Fredonia crest
SUNY Fredonia
Fredonia, New York
48
Rollins crest
Rollins College
Winter Park, Florida
49
Talladega College crest
Talladega College
Talladega, Alabama
50
LVC crest
Lebanon Valley College
Annville, Pennsylvania

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Music Major

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 The New School New York, NY
52 Goshen College Goshen, IN
53 Arkansas Baptist College Little Rock, AR
54 Bethel College - North Newton North Newton, KS
55 Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OH
56 Dillard University New Orleans, LA
57 Cogswell College San Jose, CA
58 Valley City State University Valley City, ND
59 University of Hartford West Hartford, CT
60 Cairn University Langhorne, PA
61 Greenville University Greenville, IL
62 Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, MN
63 Ithaca College Ithaca, NY
64 Bethany Lutheran College Mankato, MN
65 Brewton - Parker College Mount Vernon, GA
Rank College Location
66 The Master’s University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CA
67 Centenary College of Louisiana Shreveport, LA
68 Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA
69 Full Sail University Winter Park, FL
70 Lane College Jackson, TN
70 Allen University Columbia, SC
72 Stetson University DeLand, FL
73 University of Rochester Rochester, NY
74 DePauw University Greencastle, IN
75 Principia College Elsah, IL
76 Southwestern Adventist University Keene, TX
77 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
78 Northwest University Kirkland, WA
79 Wittenberg University Springfield, OH
80 DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WA
81 Catholic University of America Washington, DC
82 University of Montevallo Montevallo, AL
83 Washington College Chestertown, MD
84 Nyack College Nyack, NY
85 Northern Vermont University Johnson, VT
86 Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
87 Bethune - Cookman University Daytona Beach, FL
88 Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, WI
89 Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TX
90 University of North Carolina at Asheville Asheville, NC
Rank College Location
91 Lee University Cleveland, TN
92 Wesleyan College Macon, GA
93 Mars Hill University Mars Hill, NC
94 Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX
95 Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY
96 Ave Maria University Ave Maria, FL
97 Welch College Gallatin, TN
98 Point University West Point, GA
99 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
100 Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LA
101 Texas Lutheran University Seguin, TX
102 Albright College Reading, PA
103 Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL
104 Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA
105 Central State University Wilberforce, OH
106 Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, PA
107 Hampshire College Amherst, MA
108 Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC
109 Howard Payne University Brownwood, TX
110 Bridgewater College Bridgewater, VA
110 Western Connecticut State University Danbury, CT
112 Sewanee - The University of the South Sewanee, TN
113 Claflin University Orangeburg, SC
114 University of Maine at Augusta Augusta, ME
114 Eureka College Eureka, IL
Rank College Location
116 Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PA
117 Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJ
118 Texas College Tyler, TX
119 Furman University Greenville, SC
119 Greensboro College Greensboro, NC
121 Coe College Cedar Rapids, IA
122 Grace Christian University Wyoming, MI
123 Washington & Jefferson College Washington, PA
124 Simpson College Indianola, IA
125 Urshan College Wentzville, MO
125 Miles College Fairfield, AL
127 Butler University Indianapolis, IN
128 Bob Jones University Greenville, SC
129 LaGrange College Lagrange, GA
129 Benedictine College Atchison, KS
131 Corban University Salem, OR
132 William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
133 Roosevelt University Chicago, IL
134 Virginia Wesleyan University Virginia Beach, VA
135 Eastern University Saint Davids, PA
136 Shorter University Rome, GA
137 Converse College Spartanburg, SC
138 University of Tulsa Tulsa, OK
139 Asbury University Wilmore, KY
140 Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee, WI
Rank College Location
141 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO
142 University of North Texas Denton, TX
143 Occidental College Los Angeles, CA
144 Washington Adventist University Takoma Park, MD
145 Houghton College Houghton, NY
146 Huston - Tillotson University Austin, TX
147 Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN
148 Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, FL
149 Bethel University - Mishawaka Mishawaka, IN
150 Le Moyne - Owen College Memphis, TN
151 Colorado State University - Pueblo Pueblo, CO
152 Truman State University Kirksville, MO
153 Kentucky Wesleyan College Owensboro, KY
154 Carthage College Kenosha, WI
155 Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA
156 Berea College Berea, KY
157 Wheaton College Massachusetts Norton, MA
158 Biola University La Mirada, CA
159 Allegheny College Meadville, PA
160 Wartburg College Waverly, IA
161 Rochester University Rochester Hills, MI
162 Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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