by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 56 schools in the Far Western US Region to determine which ones were the best for music students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 2,159 bachelor's degrees in music to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
Your choice of music for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. Important measures of a quality music program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of bachelor's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their bachelor's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for music students working on their bachelor's degree.
The music school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region.
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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for music students seeking a a bachelor's degree.
It's difficult to beat University of Southern California if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in music. USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the music program state that they receive average early career income of $17,245.
More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Southern California
It's difficult to beat University of California - Los Angeles if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in music. Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the music program make about $19,508 for their early career.
More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of California - Los Angeles
It is difficult to beat University of California - Berkeley if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in music. UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the city of Berkeley.More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of California - Berkeley
Chapman University is a great decision for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in music. Chapman is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Orange.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the music program earn around $21,755 in their early career salary.
More information about a bachelor’s in music from Chapman University
Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Washington - Seattle Campus
UC Irvine is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Irvine.More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of California - Irvine
UCSD is a very large public university located in the large city of La Jolla.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the music program report average early career earnings of $22,536.
More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of California - San Diego
SFCM is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of San Francisco.More information about a bachelor’s in music from San Francisco Conservatory of Music
UNLV is a very large public university located in the city of Las Vegas.
Music bachelor's degree recipients from University of Nevada - Las Vegas get an earnings boost of about $11,517 over the average earnings of music graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Nevada - Las Vegas
San Jose State is a fairly large public university located in the city of San Jose.More information about a bachelor’s in music from San Jose State University
Explore the best music schools for a specific state in the Far Western US Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| California | 262 | 1,679 |
| Washington | 226 | 205 |
| Oregon | 185 | 194 |
| Nevada | 129 | 57 |
| Hawaii | 112 | 12 |
| Alaska | 75 | 12 |
Music is one of 10 different types of Visual & Performing Arts programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Music | 1,066 |
| Music Performance | 637 |
| Music Theory & Composition | 190 |
| Other Music | 48 |
| Voice Performance | 41 |
| Jazz Studies | 39 |
| Music Technology | 34 |
| Stringed Instruments | 32 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 27 |
| Musicology & Ethnomusicology | 19 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 4,906 |
| Design & Applied Arts | 3,168 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 3,017 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 2,047 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 551 |
| Dance | 418 |
| Arts & Media Management | 231 |
| Other Visual Art | 75 |
