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Most Popular Music Bachelor's Degree Schools

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2023 Most Popular Music Bachelor's Degree Schools

1,073 Colleges
$26,068 Avg Salary
$24,916 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Music Bachelor's Degree School for You

Music is the #43 most popular major in the country with 25,910 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Music Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 1,073 schools in the United States to see which bachelor's degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Music program at each school on the list.

Check out the music bachelor's degree programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.

Our 2023 rankings named Berklee College of Music the most popular school in the United States for music students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Boston, Berklee College of Music is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

About 45% of the students majoring in music at the school are women while 55% are male.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, music majors at Berklee College of Music accumulate an average of around $23,585 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $1,062, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Music at Berklee College of Music Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Texas. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. UNT is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Denton.

About 40% of the students majoring in music at the school are women while 60% are male.

Music majors at UNT take out an average of $24,042 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $271.

Read More…

#3

Full Sail University

Winter Park, FL

Out of the 1,073 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Full Sail University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Winter Park.

Women make up 20% of the music majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, music majors at Full Sail University accumulate an average of around $33,558 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $439, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Music at Full Sail University Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Middle Tennessee State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public college with a very large student population.

Of the 137 students majoring in music at Middle Tennessee State University, 69% are male and 31% are female.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, music graduates from Middle Tennessee State University carry an average student debt load of $20,862. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $231.

Read full report on Music at Middle Tennessee State University

The in-demand bachelor’s degree programs at Indiana University - Bloomington helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular music schools in the United States. IU Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington.

About 53% of the students majoring in music at the school are women while 47% are male.

Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $464.

Read More…

#6

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY

University of Rochester came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. University of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester.

About 54% of the students majoring in music at the school are women while 46% are male.

This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $713, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Music at University of Rochester

California State University - Northridge came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. CSUN is a fairly large public school located in the city of Northridge.

Of the 118 students majoring in music at CSUN, 64% are male and 36% are female.

Music majors at CSUN take out an average of $18,655 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Read full report on Music at California State University - Northridge

#8

The New School

New York, NY

With a ranking of #8, The New School did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for music students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the large city of New York, New School University is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 48% of the music majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, music majors at New School University accumulate an average of around $21,856 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $605.

Full Music at The New School Report

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for music students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 44% of the music majors at the school.

Music majors at CSULB take out an average of $19,212 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Read full report on Music at California State University - Long Beach

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. CU Anschutz is a very large public school located in the city of Denver.

Of the 105 students majoring in music at CU Anschutz, 73% are male and 27% are female.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, music majors at CU Anschutz accumulate an average of around $24,980 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $289.

Read full report on Music at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Of the 104 students majoring in music at U-M, 55% are male and 45% are female.

Full Music at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Report

#12

Oberlin College

Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Oberlin is a small private not-for-profit school located in the fringe town of Oberlin.

Women make up 48% of the music majors at the school.

Full Music at Oberlin College Report

#13

Belmont University

Nashville, TN

With a ranking of #13, Belmont University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for music students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the large city of Nashville, Belmont is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 57% of the music majors at the school.

Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $799.

Read full report on Music at Belmont University

#14

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL

University of Miami did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for music students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. U Miami is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Coral Gables.

Women make up 35% of the music majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, music majors at U Miami accumulate an average of around $14,682 in student debt.

Full Music at University of Miami Report

The New England Conservatory of Music came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. The New England Conservatory of Music is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston.

About 54% of the students majoring in music at the school are women while 46% are male.

Read full report on Music at The New England Conservatory of Music

#16

Manhattan School of Music

New York, NY

Manhattan School of Music came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Manhattan School of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York.

About 51% of the students majoring in music at the school are women while 49% are male.

This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $1,039, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Music at Manhattan School of Music

#17

The Juilliard School

New York, NY

The Juilliard School came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the large city of New York, Juilliard is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Of the 85 students majoring in music at Juilliard, 61% are male and 39% are female.

Full Music at The Juilliard School Report

#18

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree music programs. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

About 44% of the students majoring in music at the school are women while 56% are male.

Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $431.

Read full report on Music at Northwestern University

#18

University of Houston

Houston, TX

University of Houston landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree music programs. UH is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Houston.

Of the 81 students majoring in music at UH, 57% are male and 43% are female.

The average amount in student loans that music majors at UH take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $25,311.

Full Music at University of Houston Report

#20

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree music programs. Florida State is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Tallahassee.

Of the 80 students majoring in music at Florida State, 57% are male and 43% are female.

The average amount in student loans that music majors at Florida State take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $21,058.

Full Music at Florida State University Report

University of Southern California landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree music programs. USC is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.

About 29% of the students majoring in music at the school are women while 71% are male.

This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $639, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Music at University of Southern California

#22

Rowan University

Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Music Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Rowan is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Glassboro.

Of the 77 students majoring in music at Rowan, 53% are male and 47% are female.

Music majors at Rowan take out an average of $25,523 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $228.

Read full report on Music at Rowan University

#23

Los Angeles Film School

Hollywood, CA

With a ranking of #23, Los Angeles Film School did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for music students working on their bachelor’s degree. LA Film School is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Hollywood.

About 9% of the students majoring in music at the school are women while 91% are male.

Read full report on Music at Los Angeles Film School

With a ranking of #24, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for music students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public college with a very large student population.

About 45% of the students majoring in music at the school are women while 55% are male.

Full Music at University of California - Los Angeles Report

With a ranking of #25, Stephen F Austin State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for music students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, SFASU is a public college with a large student population.

Women make up 47% of the music majors at the school.

For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $175.

Full Music at Stephen F Austin State University Report

#27

University of Hartford

West Hartford, CT
#28

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX
#32

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, OK
#33

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA
#33

University of Oregon

Eugene, OR
#36

Rider University

Lawrenceville, NJ
#37

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA
#37

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL
#37

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN
#40

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA
#41

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT
#42

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA
#44

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI
#44

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD
#48

Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY
#48

St Olaf College

Northfield, MN

Remaining Award Winners

This section shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Most Popular Music Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 1073 different United States music schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
53 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TX
53 The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX
53 Lawrence University Appleton, WI
56 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ
56 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
58 California State University - Chico Chico, CA
58 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
60 Catholic University of America Washington, DC
60 New York University New York, NY
60 Los Angeles College of Music Pasadena, CA
63 The City College of New York New York, NY
63 SUNY Fredonia Fredonia, NY
63 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
63 Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TX
63 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
68 Cleveland Institute of Music Cleveland, OH
68 Texas A&M University - Commerce Commerce, TX
70 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN
70 Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus Indiana, PA
70 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
73 Illinois State University Normal, IL
73 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
73 Purchase College Purchase, NY
73 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
73 University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
78 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
78 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ
78 DePaul University Chicago, IL
78 Wayne State University Detroit, MI
78 William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
83 Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music San Juan, PR
83 San Francisco Conservatory of Music San Francisco, CA
83 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
83 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK
83 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
83 Wheaton College Illinois Wheaton, IL
83 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL
90 University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA
90 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
90 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL
93 SUNY Potsdam Potsdam, NY
93 California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA
93 University of Georgia Athens, GA
93 Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OH
93 East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN
98 Musicians Institute Hollywood, CA
98 Lamar University Beaumont, TX
98 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
101 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
101 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
101 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
101 Capital University Columbus, OH
101 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
106 Chapman University Orange, CA
106 Northeastern University Boston, MA
106 Stetson University DeLand, FL
109 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
109 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
109 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
109 Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PA
109 Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OH
109 University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MA
109 Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID
109 Rollins College Winter Park, FL
117 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
117 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
117 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
117 West Texas A&M University Canyon, TX
117 Baylor University Waco, TX
117 Boston University Boston, MA
117 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
117 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
125 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
125 The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
125 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
125 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
125 University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR
130 Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJ
130 Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL
130 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
130 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
130 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
130 University of California - Irvine Irvine, CA
130 Florida International University Miami, FL
137 Roosevelt University Chicago, IL
137 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
137 Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH
137 Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN
137 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
137 The College of Saint Rose Albany, NY
143 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH
143 Hunter College New York, NY
143 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
143 Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO
143 Butler University Indianapolis, IN
143 Luther College Decorah, IA
149 Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ
149 Towson University Towson, MD
149 Millikin University Decatur, IL
149 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD
149 New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ
149 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
149 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
156 Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA
156 Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ
156 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
156 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
156 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI
161 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
161 California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CA
161 University of North Alabama Florence, AL
161 Lee University Cleveland, TN
161 University of Denver Denver, CO
161 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Music Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
167 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
167 Western Connecticut State University Danbury, CT
167 Murray State University Murray, KY
167 Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA
167 Utah State University Logan, UT
167 University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA
167 Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LA
167 Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY
167 Brown University Providence, RI
176 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
176 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV
176 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
176 North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, ND
176 The University of Montana Missoula, MT
176 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
176 The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX
176 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
176 Lebanon Valley College Annville, PA
185 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
185 Mansfield University of Pennsylvania Mansfield, PA
185 Radford University Radford, VA
185 The University of the Arts Philadelphia, PA
185 Rice University Houston, TX
185 University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MD
185 Morehead State University Morehead, KY
192 Biola University La Mirada, CA
192 University of California - Riverside Riverside, CA
192 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
192 Troy University Troy, AL
192 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
192 Truman State University Kirksville, MO
192 Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN
192 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE
192 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
201 Emory University Atlanta, GA
201 University of Chicago Chicago, IL
201 Washington State University Pullman, WA
201 Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
201 Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LA
201 University of Tulsa Tulsa, OK
201 Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN
208 University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI
208 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL
208 Humboldt State University Arcata, CA
208 University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN
208 Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Portales, NM
208 University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM
208 Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA
208 Columbus State University Columbus, GA
208 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA
208 University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LA
208 Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro San Juan, PR
208 California State University - Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA
208 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
208 Portland State University Portland, OR
208 Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY

Music by Region

View the Most Popular Music Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

One of 10 majors within the area of study, music has other similar majors worth exploring.

Majors Similar to Music

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts 37,413
Design & Applied Arts 36,301
Drama & Theater Arts 17,341
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 16,778
General Visual & Performing Arts 6,355

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 26 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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