Best Music Schools

How are the Top Music Programs Chosen?

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.

Explore the Best Music Programs with Appily!

Create a Appily account to start saving schools to your personal list. Wondering where you stand when applying to the best universities in the USA? You can also see your chances of acceptance and get insights into your target, reach, and likely schools.

Columbia University in the City of New York

Founded in 1754, Columbia University is a private research university located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The urban Ivy League campus houses 17 libraries and 20 schools, which offer upwards of 350 majors, as well as the Cathedral of St. John...

“…

The amount of learning that takes place in one semester at Columbia is truly amazing. I have learned more in such a short period of time than I would have ever thought possible. As much as we may all complain about how extensive the Core Curriculum...

” – Nina from Baldwin, NY
University of Rochester

The University of Rochester is private, research university highly ranked in the National Universities list by U.S. News & World Report. It operates under the mission "Learn, Discover, Heal, Create—and Make the World Ever Better" and students can...

“…

The curriculum at the University of Rochester is what really makes it special. There are no general education requirements. The only required course for all majors is a writing class, which is offered in many subject areas to allow you to explore a...

” – Eloise from Rochester, NY
Case Western Reserve University

Founded by the merger of Western Reserve University and Case School of Applied Science, Case Western Reserve University is a 4-year private research institution in Cleveland. Case Western features nine schools conferring bachelor’s degrees in 95...

“…

The classes are very challenging and you definitely have to earn your grade, but when you look back at all you've learned, its worth it!

” – Meaghan from Harrah, OK
Cornell University

As an Ivy League, a research institution, and one of three private land-grant universities in the US, Cornell University admissions are highly competitive. Since Cornell was founded in 1865 in Ithaca, NY, it has been a co-educational, nonsectarian...

“…

With the exorbitant amount of majors offered, it is extremely easy to find your niche at Cornell. As an engineer, I was worried about immediately being funneled into classes filled to the brim with only math and science majors and engineers. I was...

” – Samantha from Ithaca, NY
University of California-Santa Barbara

University of California in Santa Barbara is a leading research institution in the city and state of the same name. UCSB is a member of the Association of American Universities, home to the National Center for Ecological Analysis, as well as an...

“…

- The quarter system allows you to take a wide variety of classes to figure out what you're interested in by experiencing different subjects in a short period of time.
- The environment, campus groups, and activities allow you to learn more about...

” – Taryn from Granada Hills, CA
University of California-San Diego

Founded in 1960, the University of California of San Diego is a research institution located in La Jolla, CA. The 1,200 coastal woodland campus along the Pacific Ocean is home to six undergraduate colleges, five academic divisions, 5 graduate and...

“…

Teachers can be great, but you must go to class to actually learn. I never thought I'd be skipping classes, but it happens and I learned the hard way that this is NOT smart. Discussions with TAs can be incredibly helpful as well. I had a math class...

” – Current Student from San Diego Area
University of Florida

One of the few land-, space-, and sea-grant institutions in the US, the University of Florida is a public research university founded in 1853. It is the eighth largest single-campus university in the United States. U.S. News & World Report have...

“…

This is the best school in the state hands down, and is also a powerful name amongst all colleges in the nation, both private and public.

” – Jerry from San Antonio, FL
Bucknell University

Bucknell University is a highly selective, private liberal arts college located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. As one of the nation's preeminent liberal arts universities and Division I schools, Bucknell offers a world-class learning experience where...

“…

As a small private school, Bucknell pays attention to their students. I have never had a hard time talking or staying after with professors. They truly care that you learn the material and know your name. Taking on average five courses a semester...

” – Margaret from Islip, NY
University of California-Irvine

The University of California in Irvine was founded in 1965 in the town and state of the same name, and is the youngest member of the Association of American Universities. This high-research institution offers 92 majors and 86 minors and the campus is...

“…

Being that I have only been at UCI for one year so far, I feel that I am really learning a lot from my professors and from the students that I have surrounded myself with. No matter where you are at, it is the people you are around that you can...

” – Emi from Temecula, CA
University of Miami

Founded in 1925, the University of Miami is a private research institution in south Florida. The U encompasses 11 colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 180 fields of study. Away from the classroom, the Miami campus is home to...

“…

The Cool thing about UM is the diversity of the school and the city of Miami. I've met people from every corner of the country and the world and that's the best part about college, of course learning in class but also learning from those who are not...

” – Jude from Miami, FL
New York University

New York University, more commonly referred to as NYU, is a private university with campuses and academic centers all over the world, including Abu Dhabi, Shanghai, Africa, and Europe. As one of the largest private universities in the US, it’s...

“…

The learning portion is inevitable, isn’t it? NYU has various schools underneath its purple umbrella – College of Arts and Science, Tisch School of the Arts, Stern School of Business, Steinhardt School of Culture/Education/Human Development, College...

” – Lana from Tenafly, NJ
Florida State University

Florida State University is the oldest institution of Higher Education in Florida. Located on 1,633 acres of land in Tallahassee, FSU is a space- and sea-grant research university offering more than 300 degree programs. The campus is home to the only...

“…

There are many different programs at FSU so you will be surrounded with experienced and helpful faculty. The university is strong in the liberal arts and hard sciences, but they also have a number of other outstanding programs including criminology...

” – Alesha from Shalimar, FL
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Georgia Institute of Technology, more commonly known as Georgia Tech, is a 4-year research institution offering technology-focused education based out of Atlanta, GA. The institution has a number of instructional sites, including online and physical...

“…

Georgia Tech will teach you skills for both inside and outside of the classroom. No matter what your major might be, you will be challenged to do your very best and you will learn how you operate as a student. By the end of your first year at Tech...

” – Alexandria from Hoschton, GA
Trinity University

Founded in 1869, Trinity University is a private liberal arts and sciences institution situated in San Antonio, TX. Trinity is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and offers undergrad degrees in 47 academic majors. All freshmen must take a First...

“…

The professors at Trinity University are all very knowledgeable in their fields and outside and are passionate about what they do, which makes the classes interesting and challenging. However, the professors truly care about their students and will...

” – Kayleigh from Waco, TX
Gettysburg College

With a campus adjacent to the battlefield where President Abraham Lincoln made his famous Gettysburg address, Gettysburg College is a liberal arts college in southern Pennsylvania. Featuring a curriculum focused on four key elements of a liberal arts...

“…

Gettysburg is almost like a dream. I feel more at home here than I do anywhere else and being on campus makes me smile. I feel really lucky to get to attend this school and am really going to miss it when I graduate.

” – Kaytie from MA
St Olaf College

St. Olaf College is a 4-year institution founded in 1874 by Norwegian Lutheran Immigrants. Today, St. Olaf maintains its affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on its 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, often called “The...

“…

Of course in the classroom I feel that I am learning from some of the brightest professors I will meet, but I am also learning a lot about myself through classes I take, interactions with others on campus, volunteer and abroad opportunities, and...

” – Kelsey from Portland, OR
Pepperdine University

With a campus overlooking Malibu Bluffs and the Pacific Ocean, Pepperdine University is a 4-year Christian institution in Malibu affiliated with the Churches of Christ. Pepperdine is home to colleges of Business, Law, Arts & Sciences, Public Policy...

“…

definitely an expensive school! but they're pretty good about financial aid and it's well worth it.

” – Rachael from Spokane, WA
Whitman College

An education from Whitman College is special.

As a small residential liberal arts college in Walla Walla, Washington, Whitman is rooted in the traditional liberal arts values like critical thought and academic rigor. But at our foundation is also a...

“…

Whitman is well known for its rigorous academics. To start with all freshmen must take an encounters course, which includes the study of texts most people would not have studied in high school (including The Qur'an or The Odyssey). This alone makes...

” – Geneva
Oberlin College

Oberlin College is a liberal arts institution that was founded in 1833 in Oberlin, OH. Only two colleges operate on this private university’s campus, a College of Arts and Sciences and the oldest continuously operating Conservatory of Music in the...

“…

The range of what you can learn here is vast. I'm currently kicking it with the true liberal arts experience taking cinema classes, photography, computer programming, Literature courses, and still being able to find incredible opportunities to...

” – Elliot from Somers Point, NJ
American University

American University is a research institution located in a residential neighborhood of Washington, DC. AU has eight schools on its carbon-neutral campus featuring more than 160 programs. American University is also home to many research centers...

“…

As a student of International Relations, I don't think I could have chosen a better school. My professors were not only well-versed on theory, but they had made (and were STILL making) valuable contributions to their fields. Relative to other schools...

” – Justine from Topeka, KS