It’s really tough to come up with a list of top music colleges, because there are so many that stand out in different ways.

So think of our list as a starting point and be sure to consider other schools in your search that may not be on our best music schools list.

In compiling the list, we tried to include some diversity, considering size, location, stylistic focus, reputation, and whether they are independent or part of a university system.

We list each top school with some brief info, then give you a framework for considering which schools will best fit your educational and career goals along with your personal preferences and learning style.

Berklee is the biggest independent music school in the world. Their legions of successful alumni include hundreds of GRAMMY winners.

Majors include performance on all instruments and voice, music business, songwriting, film scoring, music production and engineering, music education, music therapy, composition, contemporary writing and production, professional music, and electronic production. Students can complete a dual major in five years.

Berklee is one of the few schools that accepts the computer as a musical instrument (i.e., Electronic Digital Instrument or EDI).

It’s based in Boston and has graduate programs in New York City, plus a European campus in Valencia, Spain. Berklee also has a dual degree option together with Harvard University.

Offering dozens of degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs, there’s no school in the world offering more options for studying music in-person or online.

Berklee College of Music

Julliard is perhaps the first name that comes to mind when thinking about a classical music conservatory.

Julliard, in New York City, is unquestionably one of the best-regarded music schools in the world, with faculty and alumni in the top echelons of the music field.

Attending Julliard means learning from the best and should lead to an illustrious career in music.

The Julliard School

NEC in Boston is one of the top music schools in the world with a solid reputation for the quality of its faculty and graduates.

Many of NEC’s teachers perform in the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, or Boston Ballet, which are all close by.

NEC also offers dual-degree programs with Harvard or with Tufts University, allowing student-scholars to major in the sciences or humanities while earning a music degree. (Students must be admitted to both schools separately.) NEC also has a well-established jazz program.

New England Conservatory of Music

Housed within Berklee, Boston Conservatory at Berklee (BCB) is a small but highly competitive school focused on one-to-one teaching in preparing students for fulfilling careers as top performers and music educators.

Experienced faculty offer cutting-edge training in music, theater, and dance based on solid pedagogical theory. BCB’s unique programs allow students access to many of the wide variety of courses found at Berklee.

Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Situated on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the Manhattan School of Music (MSM) has made a name for itself as one of the world’s premier conservatories for classical music, jazz, and musical theater.

Infused with the creative vibe of New York City, students can attend and perform in world-class concerts and network with some of the world’s top musicians and entertainers.

MSM has summer programs, pre-college, and a plethora of diploma and degree options, including at the graduate level.

Manhattan School of Music

In the heart of Los Angeles at the center of the music and film industries, is the Thornton School of Music.

At the University of Southern California (USC), the Thornton School specializes in cross-disciplinary studies in the arts. Students work with leading educators and practitioners while building up a network of professional contacts needed for pursuing a future music career.

USC Thornton School of Music

Situated on a beautiful campus in rural Ohio about an hour outside of Cleveland, Oberlin College is a prestigious liberal arts and music college with a history.

One of the first colleges in the US to admit Black students (in 1835), they are also the oldest coeducational liberal arts college in America (having admitted women since 1837).

Known for their programs in Baroque music, plus music technology, Oberlin Conservatory of Music is small, with only about 500 students, and has a very low faculty-student ratio of 6:1. Oberlin also allows students to earn dual-degrees.

Oberlin Conservatory of Music

A true music conservatory housed in the University of Rochester in the Western Tier of New York State, Eastman is a small school offering intensive training from top-tier faculty.

Well regarded for jazz, classical, and popular music, students can take academic courses alongside their music classes, thanks to the university affiliation.

Eastman School of Music

Typically ranked along with Julliard as being one of the top schools for classical music, the Curtis Institute is a small, conservatory-style college in Philadelphia.

Although much smaller than Julliard, students accepted at Curtis receive full scholarships plus a stipend for living costs, which makes Curtis an attractive choice.

Admission to Curtis is highly competitive, but this is true of all the top music schools and should not discourage you from applying.

Curtis Institute of Music

Located in north Los Angeles County, CalArts was originally set up by Walt Disney.

Students study and perform in just about every style of music and pursue cross-disciplinary collaborations with other musicians, dancers, actors, theater directors, filmmakers, animators, and writers.

Home to the Herb Alpert School of Music (note that there is also an Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA), there are specializations in experimental pop, instrumental arts, jazz, music technology, composition and experimental sound practices, performer-composer, voice arts, and world music performance. Students and alumni benefit from being close to the music and film industry.

California Institute of the Arts

Located in the heart of Hollywood, the Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music (MI) offers flexible in-person and online degrees and certificates catering to contemporary musicians seeking to break into the music industry.

Their primary focus is on performance, music industry, and music production and recording. Students study in state-of-the-art facilities with leading practitioners while making the connections that lead to lifelong music careers.

Musicians Institute

In sunny southern Florida, the Frost School of Music at University of Miami offers a quality program in a large university setting.

With undergraduate and graduate degrees, the focus is firmly on establishing strong skills in performance, recording technology, composition.

Graduates have a solid record of placement in jobs and music industry careers, and Miami’s cultural opportunities are boundless.

Frost School, University of Miami

Known for their audio engineering and music business programs, located in Winter Park, Florida, close to Orlando.

Full Sail University

There are many reasons to attend a music school, some of which include:

• It’s a terrific way to meet like-minded young musicians who could have a big impact on your future music career
• School is probably the best and quickest way to prepare for a career in music, by gaining important skills and knowledge while refining your natural talents and abilities
• In four years at college, you will learn what would’ve taken you ten or twenty years to learn without school
• College prepares you for the world of work by teaching you professional business skills and techniques
• In college, you will experience what it’s like to be immersed in music full-time

This is a question that comes up frequently, especially with students from abroad who aren’t as familiar with our educational system. Some schools offer degrees, others offer diplomas, and some schools offer both.

The main difference between the two is that…

A bachelor’s degree adds a strong component of liberal arts, typically 30 credits of coursework, or about a quarter of all credits completed. A degree is considered more academically rigorous than a diploma and is seen as the more valuable credential.

For some, a diploma is enough of a credential for what they want to do in their career. They might prefer to focus on studying music and nothing else.

Some choose the diploma because they have already earned a degree from another school. A diploma might also cost less than a degree, since there are fewer courses required.

But if you think you’d like to attend graduate school someday, or be a teacher, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree.

You could also start out studying for a diploma and later switch to the degree if your school offers both credentials. Setting your goal of earning either a diploma or a degree may inform your decision on which school is best for you.

There are some online programs available for earning a music degree. There are also various certificates and micro-learning credentials offered, some from highly reputable schools.

It is certainly possible to earn a music degree online. But is it a good idea?

Let’s weigh the pros and cons here…

When looking at online programs, you will find a wide variety in the delivery of teaching and learning models. For example, some programs may be fully online, while others may use a hybrid model, with in-person meetings required periodically.

For fully online programs, there may be courses that are synchronous (everyone meets at a specific time each week) or asynchronous (the class never meets). Some are a mix of the two.

You will need to consider your time zone, as well as other potentially conflicting responsibilities like work and family.

If you think music school is the right fit for you, then you’ll need to first narrow down your list of top-choice schools, prioritized the list in order of preference.

Then follow these steps…

It’s time to get organized.

This means making note of the requirements for each school, and very importantly, the deadlines for each aspect of the application.

Every school does things differently, so you really need to pay close attention to what they ask for and when.

Some schools use the Common Application or other online platforms such as Slide Room or Get Accepted.

They may have separate guidelines and deadlines for early action or early decision (they are not the same thing). Make a separate file for each school with the link to the application page and all requirements and deadlines.

Create a timeline for completing all the applications, and make sure to put aside enough time to do a good job applying.

One college application could take as little as a few hours, or as much as 30-40 hours of your time to complete.

Since every school is different, you want to understand fully what will be required for each application early in the process.

Most schools require an essay or essays, letters of recommendation, and some kind of music portfolio.

This means you may need to make some recordings or videos, which can take time as well.

You will most likely need to schedule an audition, too.

Make a list of who will provide your letters of recommendation and start asking them if they are willing to write you a letter.

Filling out the forms carefully will also take time and care, and you might need help from your parents, especially for inputting the financial information.

Most schools consider applicants for financial aid automatically, so you won’t need to file a separate application, though you will need to fill out the Federal forms required by all, known as the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

If you run into problems, contact the school admissions office directly.

You can also work with a college consultant or counselor at your school who can assist with filling out the forms and help guide you through the essay writing and creation of portfolio materials.

Colleges and universities need good students, and they want to accept you. It’s your job to present yourself in the best light possible and make it hard for them to say no.

Above all, be your authentic self. Be patient, thorough, and diligent throughout the college application process, and be sure to always put your best foot forward. All this will increase your likelihood of multiple acceptance.

Music school is incredibly expensive, as is almost all college education in the US.

State schools are often the least expensive, and private institutions the least affordable.

Total costs per year, including living costs, range from around $20,000 to as high as $75,000 or even $80,000.

Schools use financial aid to entice students to attend, and about 85% of students receive some aid in the form of grants, loans, and scholarships.

Government financial aid is a type of assistance provided by federal and state governments to help students pay for college.

The most common federal grant, the Pell Grant, is need-based and does not need to be repaid.

There are also programs like the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) for students with exceptional need and TEACH Grants for those pursuing a career in teaching.

Many students borrow money to pay for living expenses and work to pay for bills, books, gear, and supplies.

College loans help students and families cover education expenses, which must be repaid with interest after graduation or when enrollment drops below half-time.

College loans come in two main types: federal student loans and private student loans.

Many schools offer full scholarships to the most talented and deserving students.

To qualify for the maximum aid, students need to be great students and get top grades.

It’s not enough to just play your instrument well, though that can help. There are ways to make it less expensive, such as attending during summers and living off-campus in shared accommodations.