by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual reviewed 37 schools in California to determine which ones were the best for bachelor's degree seekers in the field of music. Combined, these schools handed out 1,679 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. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
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.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your bachelor's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
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 schools for music students working on their bachelor's degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Music Bachelor's Degree Schools in California ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
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.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in music.
It's difficult to beat University of Southern California if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in music. USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the music program earn around $17,245 in their early career salary.
More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Southern California
It is hard to beat University of California - Los Angeles if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in music. Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population.
Soon after graduation, music bachelor's recipients generally make about $19,508 in their early careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of California - Los Angeles
It's difficult to beat University of California - Berkeley if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in music. UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley.More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of California - Berkeley
Chapman University is a good option for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in music. Chapman is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Orange.
After graduation, music bachelor's recipients usually make around $21,755 in their early careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in music from Chapman University
UC Irvine is a very large public university located in the 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.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the music program make around $22,536 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of California - San Diego
SFCM is a fairly 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
San Jose State is a very large public university located in the city of San Jose.More information about a bachelor’s in music from San Jose State University
Located in the small city of Redlands, University of Redlands is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of Redlands
Located in the medium-sized suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a very large student population.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the music program state that they receive average early career wages of $22,669.
More information about a bachelor’s in music from University of California - Santa BarbaraExplore all the Best Music Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 785 |
| Music Performance | 523 |
| Music Theory & Composition | 154 |
| Voice Performance | 31 |
| Stringed Instruments | 31 |
| Music Technology | 31 |
| Other Music | 30 |
| Jazz Studies | 27 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 24 |
| Musicology & Ethnomusicology | 19 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 3,908 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 2,667 |
| Design & Applied Arts | 2,446 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 1,601 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 476 |
| Dance | 314 |
| Arts & Media Management | 223 |
| Other Visual Art | 54 |
