Learning music is an age-old practice of passing artistic knowledge from master to apprentice. Music is known as the universal language of mankind, and musical training has been studied for its potential benefits to well-being, brain development, and some physiological outcomes, although effects vary by setting and study design.
In this regard, American music is eclectic because of the many cultures that have contributed to it. American music encompasses genres as diverse as jazz, country, rock, R&B, hip-hop, and folk. The USA has also played a major role in developing new approaches to music production, performance, and music technology. It has given rise to notable musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Bob Dylan, and many others.
In the United States, students may study music of every genre, from classical to modern, with experienced performers, scholars, and industry professionals. Higher education in the USA offers a diverse selection of majors at many prestigious institutions. So, make sure to read our article below, which elaborates on some of the best music schools in the USA with rich music degrees.
Top Music Schools in the U.S.
1. Berklee College of Music
Our #1 recommendation is Berklee College of Music, a Boston-based institution focused on contemporary music, performing arts, production, songwriting, music business, and related fields. Berklee alumni have received more than 300 Grammy Awards.
Undergraduates at Berklee may choose from more than a dozen Bachelor of Music majors, including composition, contemporary writing and production, film and media scoring, global jazz performance, music business/management, music education, songwriting, and many other options.
Berklee College of Music lists undergraduate degree tuition and mandatory fees at $55,620 for the academic year, including $54,020 in tuition and $1,600 in fees. All undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships through the audition and interview process. International undergraduate applicants are eligible for merit-based aid, although entering international students are not considered for need-based institutional aid.
Berklee also offers graduate programs in music, including a one-year Master of Music in global jazz and a two-year Master of Music in music education. Students admitted to the global jazz graduate program receive full-tuition grants, and the program is designed for advanced performers who want intensive professional training.
As an excellent music school in the USA, Berklee also provides training in areas such as classroom practice, lesson organization, performance, production, and professional collaboration. This gives experienced musicians the chance to broaden their horizons by participating in a variety of exciting creative and performing endeavors.
2. The Julliard School
The Juilliard School, founded in 1905, has been at the forefront of performing arts education. The school is committed to providing gifted performers from around the world with high-level artistic education to help them realize their creative and leadership potential and become contributing members of society.
It offers several programs in music, including undergraduate and graduate programs in areas such as instrumental performance, vocal arts, jazz, composition, conducting, and historical performance. In addition to their music major, Bachelor of Music students complete liberal arts coursework as part of their degree.
The standard time to complete a Bachelor of Music degree is four years. Qualified transfer students must complete a minimum period of residence at the school, and program rules may vary by major. Foundational classes include areas such as ear training, piano, lyric diction, and other musicianship requirements. Juilliard lists tuition at $57,200.
Students can also earn graduate degrees, including the Master of Music and the Doctor of Musical Arts, depending on the program in the Music Division. The Master of Music is a two-year graduate degree for musicians who already have undergraduate preparation and want further musical instruction and professional training.
Moreover, Juilliard offers elite opportunities in areas such as opera, vocal arts, and orchestral training. The Juilliard Scholarship Committee determines scholarship awards based on financial need and artistic merit. Some advanced programs, including the Doctor of Musical Arts and Artist Diploma, are listed as tuition-free or full-tuition scholarship programs, although students remain responsible for fees, living expenses, and other costs.
3. Northwestern University
Next in our suggestions of top music schools in the USA is Northwestern University, which is ranked #=45 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Its broad range of courses allows students to explore many different areas of interest. Students have numerous chances to establish and take part in initiatives that further their education, development, and contribution to society as a whole.
Through its intense curriculum, students at the Bienen School of Music gain excellent musicianship, interpersonal abilities, self-discipline, and dedication to musical excellence. International students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music here usually do so to pursue a career in music performance or music studies. The university also offers numerous courses that may supplement a conservatory-style degree.
A Bachelor of Music may be earned at the Bienen School of Music with majors in performance, music studies, or an ad hoc major as an additional major. Performance areas include piano, strings, voice, winds and percussion, and jazz studies, while music studies areas include composition, musicology, music cognition, music education, and music theory. Northwestern announced undergraduate tuition of $71,802 for 2026–2027, with standard room and board of $22,941 and fees of $1,260.
Nevertheless, Bienen’s master’s degrees integrate the disciplines of performing, teaching, theory, writing, and research. Students may craft unique course schedules from available electives with an advisor’s guidance.
A one-year Master of Music in music education is available for students who already hold teaching certification, while two-year Master of Music programs are available in areas such as brass, conducting, jazz studies, music education for those seeking certification, music theory, musicology, percussion, piano, strings, voice and opera, and woodwinds. For 2026–2027, Master of Music students taking 3 to 5 units are charged $19,254 per quarter, plus a $298 health services fee per quarter. Bienen also provides financial aid opportunities, including partial or full tuition grants for some graduate students.
4. Manhattan School of Music
The Manhattan School of Music, with its long history and reputation for conservatory training, made it to our list. It offers several distinct programs in classical performance, jazz, musical theater, composition, conducting, and other music-related fields.
Composers, instrumentalists, jazz musicians, and musical theater and opera enthusiasts may all find something to their liking in MSM’s four-year undergraduate curriculum. The undergraduate program combines major study, coursework in music-related topics, ensemble performance, and humanities courses to provide a demanding curriculum for prospective professional performers and composers.
Among the best music programs in the USA, it includes standard courses such as music history and theory, along with a substantial humanities component that develops reading, writing, and discussion skills. For 2026–2027, MSM lists tuition at $60,800, with additional fees and living costs depending on whether a student lives on campus.
I hope that this article on the best music schools in USA was helpful! If you are interested, check out the available courses for international students!
