Best Colleges for Music
Music programs split into two camps: conservatories (Juilliard, Berklee, Curtis) where the entire student body is musicians, and research universities with strong music schools (Michigan, Northwestern, Indiana). Conservatories give depth; universities give breadth + a backup major. The right pick depends on whether music is the career or one of several paths you're keeping open.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
- 1
Berklee College of Music
Massachusetts · Private nonprofit
44%acceptance rate - 2
Curtis Institute of Music
Pennsylvania · Private nonprofit
5%acceptance rate - 3
Manhattan School of Music
New York · Private nonprofit
41%acceptance rate - 4
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Michigan · Public
16%acceptance rate - 5
Indiana University-Bloomington
Indiana · Public
78%acceptance rate - 6
Oberlin College
Ohio · Private nonprofit
34%acceptance rate - 7
Northwestern University
Illinois · Private nonprofit
8%acceptance rate
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