Study music in the USA

Find programs that match your goals quickly and easily using our advanced search filters

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Find your perfect music programs in the USA

Find music programs in the USA you love that match your needs and aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

What types of music degrees can you study in the USA?

What are the top music universities in the USA?

Top music programs in the USA

What are the top music undergraduate programs in the USA?

  • Colorado State UniversityMusic: Performance - BMus

    • 4 years
    • Full-time
    • On campus
    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Subject area
    Music, Acting
    Location
    Fort Collins, USA
    Next available start date
    January 2025 +2 more
    Annual tuition fee
    34,751USD

  • University of Mount UnionMusic - BA

    • 4 years
    • Full-time
    • On campus
    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Subject area
    Music
    Location
    Alliance, USA
    Next available start date
    January 2025 +2 more
    Annual tuition fee
    36,100USD

  • Western Washington UniversityMusic: Composition - BMus

    • 4 years
    • Full-time
    • On campus
    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Subject area
    Composition
    Location
    Bellingham, USA
    Next available start date
    September 2025 +1 more
    Annual tuition fee
    26,562USD

  • University of South CarolinaMusic - BA

    • 4 years
    • Full-time
    • On campus
    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Subject area
    Music
    Location
    Columbia, USA
    Next available start date
    January 2025 +2 more
    Annual tuition fee
    35,972USD

  • Simpson UniversityMusic: Music Education - BA

    • 4 years
    • Full-time
    • On campus
    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Subject area
    Music, Music Education
    Location
    Redding, USA
    Next available start date
    January 2025 +2 more
    Annual tuition fee
    28,000USD

See all undergraduate degrees in music in the USA

What are the top music postgraduate programs in the USA?

  • Arizona State University (in partnership with Kaplan International)Music Composition (Tempe Campus) - MM

    • 2 years
    • Full-time
    • On campus
    Program type
    Master's
    Subject area
    Composition
    Location
    Phoenix, USA
    Next available start date
    January 2025 +1 more
    Annual tuition fee
    38,526USD

  • Florida Atlantic UniversityMusic: Instrumental Performance - MM

    • 2 years
    • Full-time
    • On campus
    Program type
    Master's
    Subject area
    Music
    Location
    Boca Raton, USA
    Next available start date
    January 2025 +3 more
    Annual tuition fee
    19,792USD

  • University of Nebraska OmahaMusic - MM

    • 2 years
    • Full-time
    • On campus
    Program type
    Master's
    Subject area
    Music
    Location
    Omaha, USA
    Next available start date
    January 2025 +3 more
    Annual tuition fee
    17,281USD

  • William Paterson UniversityMusic Jazz Studies and Arranging - MM

    • 2 years
    • Full-time
    • On campus
    Program type
    Master's
    Subject area
    Composition
    Location
    Wayne, USA
    Next available start date
    January 2025 +2 more
    Annual tuition fee
    23,921USD

  • Radford UniversityMusic: Performance - MA

    • 2 years
    • Full-time
    • On campus
    Program type
    Master's
    Subject area
    Music, Acting
    Location
    Radford, USA
    Next available start date
    December 2024 +5 more
    Annual tuition fee
    17,118USD

See all postgraduate degrees in music in the USA

Music degrees abroad

Learn more about studying for a music degree abroad, including typical program structure, entry requirements, fees and funding, and future career prospects.

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Student reviews for music in the USA

Airi Yoshikawa
jp flag
Studied Music at Lane Community College
Overall Experience
  • Academic
    4
  • University social
    2
  • Accommodation
    2
  • University facilities
    3
Tell us about studying music in the USA

I love what I’m studying right now, instructors are very nice, they helped me a lot

What the experts say about music in the USA

  • Headshot of Dr Sarita Kwok
    Dr Sarita Kwok
    Dr Sarita Kwok says:

    I came to study Music (violin performance) as an international student many years ago. The United States is indeed a land of wonderful opportunities.

    Here, international students are able to explore music performance and music education in a country that is home to the top orchestras and conservatories in the world. This particularly true of the city of Boston, which is home to the world-renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the country’s oldest orchestra, Handel and Haydn Society.

    It is also well known for its new-music scene, conservatories, jazz, and chamber music programs. Gordon college music students have the distinct advantage of studying on a beautiful, pristine, and safe campus, just a stone’s throw north of the bustling and artistic hub that is Boston. It’s the best of both worlds.

    Studying in the United States, and especially in Boston, is a fantastic way to broaden your horizon and experiences. While this may seem daunting so many miles away from home, at the Gordon College Department of Music we make a concerted effort to welcome our students from abroad into the family.

    Our international students quickly recognize our department as a home away from home, where their peers and faculty mentors provide a wonderful support network.

    Any international student who has an interest in or talent for music should pursue the serious collegiate study of the subject while they can! A Christian liberal arts college like Gordon allows international students to study music in a rigorous program housed in a nurturing environment. Students have the opportunity to delve deep into professional musical studies (Bachelor of Music degrees) which leads to performance opportunities, graduate programs, licensure to teach –and the flexibility to pursue music as a liberal arts major, where double majors with other disciplines are common (music and psychology, music and computer science, music and business, to name a few examples). Students who graduate from Gordon College with professional degrees in music education, performance or a BA in Music (with concentrations in Worship or Composition) can pursue a wide variety of career paths. These include but are not limited to: teaching music in (K-12) schools, teaching music at the collegiate level, performing in orchestras, arts administration, private studio teaching, arts journalism, worship ministry, music therapy, and more. Many go on to further study at graduate schools and conservatories. At Gordon, music students are well prepared for the real-world challenges that face professional musicians. Networking, career preparation and mentoring are an integral part of our excellent curriculum.
  • Headshot of Dr Stephen Lias
    Dr Stephen Lias
    Dr Stephen Lias says:

    The USA has vibrant music programs of all sorts, particularly in jazz and wind-band music. It is also an exciting and vibrant place to study, and an international center for the arts.

    Studying music and composition abroad is essential to help a growing composer become familiar with lots of styles and techniques not normally featured in their home country.

    Our composition graduates have jobs in concert music, film scoring, video game scoring, academia, and many other careers within music.

  • Headshot of Matthew Svoboda
    Matthew Svoboda
    Matthew Svoboda says:

    Music is an international language and a wonderful way to connect with people from across cultures.

    In the USA, you can study music at beginner, or more advanced levels, regardless of your age or previous training. This is not always true in other countries.

    Music study engages both the left and right brain, can be done individually or socially, teaches lifelong skills that elicit the best in human potential and creativity, and is fun!

    Music takes a lot of commitment and requires a discipline that prepares students for further study in any field. Students who study music at the undergraduate level have made successful careers in music and in many other fields such as law, business, medicine, etc. I know doctors, lawyers, business owners, and educators, who studied music at the undergraduate level and thereby attained the drive and discipline needed to be successful in these other fields. Even though their professional work is largely outside of music, they continue to be enriched by music in their own lives and in the community.