Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by Team College Learners

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When people talk about great music schools in the US, we often hear the same names come up time & time again – Indiana, Juilliard, Michigan, Cleveland, Curtis, Berklee, Mannes, etc.

All of these are great schools that produce many successful musicians, no question, but did you know there are actually hundreds of music schools and university music departments in the US?

In fact, there are 625 music schools and departments accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, the principal higher music education accreditor.

Many of these schools have excellent faculty and have produced outstanding alumni, but are not nearly as well-known as their famous competitors, for one reason or another.

I’ve been looking into music schools lately that could be seen as “hidden gem” alternatives for students wishing to expand their palette of options, schools that may not be as talked about as the Juilliards and Berklees of the world, but still elite, excellent, and comparable to any other top school in the entire country.

My research has turned out quite an exhaustive list of truly excellent music schools.

So let’s talk about 10 that seem to be truly outstanding that more musicians should know about and consider as a solid option for application.

Catholic University of America’s Benjamin T. Rome School of Music (Washington, D.C.)

photo by NCinDC via Flickr Creative Commons
The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, situated in the Catholic University of America, is widely considered to be the most prominent Catholic-faithed center for the study of music in the US. The institution, named after ones its most prominent benefactors and alumni in 1984, offers Bachelor’s degrees in all of the standard music college majors, including performance, composition, musical theatre, music education, and more.

One of the notable components of this school that distinguishes it from other music schools is its Latin American Music Center. Founded by the music school in cooperation with the Inter-American Music Council in 1984, this graduate musicological institution is dedicated to the study of Ibero-American music, which is music created in Latin American countries such as Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Honduras, Mexico, etc.

Other notable aspects of the school include it’s Centre for Ward Method studies, an institution dedicated to teaching future elementary school music pedagogues a teaching method based in religious chant music, as well as the school’s Single Reed Symposium, a day-long gathering of workshops and classes devoted to clarinet and saxophone education.

Intriguingly, the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music is the only school of music located in Washington D.C., one of the nation’s premiere cultural epicenters.

Gettysburg College Sunderman Conservatory of Music (Gettysburg, PA)
Frequently, I get many students and their families inquiring into what liberal arts colleges have good music programs.

The selection for these kinds of schools is seemingly limited – the most spoken about ones are Oberlin’s Conservatory of Music, the Bard College Conservatory of Music, and the Ithaca School of Music, all top-notch excellent schools.

However, another very good one has come to my attention recently, which is Gettysburg College’s Sunderman School of Music.

The school is pretty young, as far as music schools go, established within the last decade or so.

The conservatory at Gettysburg is replete with a number of excellent student ensembles and opportunities, including an annual Opera Workshop, four choirs, marching band, string orchestra ensemble known as Sunderman Strings, and a Gamelan ensemble.

Five of the faculty members at the school have formed a woodwind quintet that is very popular within the Gettysburg community.

Perhaps a hidden gem due to its relatively new inception, this music school housed at Gettysburg College should be a top consideration for many music students, especially those looking to get a solid music education at a top liberal arts college.

University of Redlands School of Music (Redlands, CA)

photo by Don Graham via Flickr Creative Commons
The University of Redlands School of Music is a fine school located about 60 miles from Los Angeles. The faculty consist of many of the most excellent teaching musicians in the Southern California area.

The University of Redlands is a very competitive school from an academic standpoint – in 2012, U.S. News & World Report ranked it in the top 15 among regional universities on the West Coast. The school is an excellent option for those who wish to study music while receiving instruction and tutelage in a fostering, open-minded liberal arts environment.

The college itself is home to a number of excellent high-level student ensembles, including the University Opera, Studio Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Madrigals, among many other ensembles.

The faculty at the University of Redlands is, collectively, a true hidden gem. One of the most distinguished organists in the entire nation, Frederick Swann, past president of the American Guild of Organists (commonly referred to as the AGO), teaches the principles behind mastering the organ at this music school. Frederick Swann’s career is highly distinguished; he was the organist chosen to perform the first concert of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s 6,000+ pipe organ in 2004 at Walt Disney Hall.

The school of music at the University of Redlands, overall, is very strong, and is definitely a good consideration for anyone looking to pursue a Bachelor’s in performance or composition while attending a respected liberal arts university.

James Madison University School of Music (Harrisonburg, VA)
The JMU School of Music is an intriguing school that has some very distinct offerings. One of them is a Bachelor’s in Music Industry, a degree that should be offered at more colleges of music.

The JMU Music Industry degree is essentially a music business & entrepreneurship degree that can prepare students for a number of music business positions, including those in artist management, booking, agency, labels, studios, television, and publishing. Who knew so many positions could be available for someone with a savvy for the music business?

Additionally, the school is home to an astounding $82 million dollar performing arts center known as the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts.

The Forbes Center at JMU is a cultural epicenter of Virginia; dance companies, jazz festivals, the university’s wind & orchestra ensembles, art shows, and so much more are housed in this very special performing arts mecca at JMU.

The school, interestingly enough, also has one of the most distinguished brass bands in the country, known as the JMU Brass Band. The group has a very active calendar of performances on and off campus every single year. Additionally, the band has received several high nods and honors in the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) competitions.

Overall, the JMU School of Music is very competitive, a true hidden gem located in Virginia’s historic Shenandoah Valley.

Western Michigan University School of Music (Kalamazoo, MI)

photo by Joe Ross via Flickr Creative Commons
First of all, let’s set the record straight – the jazz program at Western Michigan University is among the finest in the country. Since 1984, the program has won over 100 Downbeat Magazine awards, making it among the finest in the country. Additionally, the jazz department makes a concerted effort to bring in guest artists of the highest level for residencies, classes, and clinics.

In recent years, these people have included jazz bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding, trumpeter and bandleader Wynton Marsalis, jazz vocalist Bobby McFerrin, pianist Kenny Werner, among many others.

The school additionally has an impressive recording facility known as Western Sound Studios, taken after the name of its parent institution. Recordings produced in these studios have won awards from the Audio Engineering Society, a prestigious organization advancing the professions of acousticians, audiologists, and recording arts teachers.

The performance program outside of the recording facility and in jazz performance is also excellent. According to the school on their profile @ MajoringInMusic.com, the acceptance rate at the school is only 25%, making it one of the most competitive music state music schools in the entire country.

I have personally worked with WMU students while I was studying at the nearby University of Michigan a few years back – I can say the talent level at WMU is remarkably high.

Boston University School of Music (Boston, MA)

photo by Henry Zbyszynski via Flickr Creative Commons
It’s difficult for me to call Boston University a “hidden gem,” as it is one of the most well-known and distinguished private universities in the entire world.

That said, I only call its School of Music a “hidden gem” because the school is sometimes overshadowed by many other excellent music conservatories located in the same city, including New England Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory, and Longy School of Music of Bard College.

BU’s School of Music has some of the most extraordinary faculty out of any music school in the entire country. Many of the performance faculty hold concurrent positions as members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, one of the world’s foremost symphonic orchestras. Many of the faculty who teach at other major music schools in the city, like NEC, also teach at Boston University.

Of course, the location of BU is difficult to beat. If you are a classical musician, the offerings the city of Boston can provide for your education as a musician are innumerable.

Many students and alumni of the BU School of Music participate in area ensembles, including the prestigious Handel & Haydn Society, the Boston Lyric Opera, the Boston Chamber Music Society, and the widely loved Boston Pops orchestra.

If you are considering attending college for music at any of the major Boston area music schools, certainly consider the fine School of Music at BU.

Azusa Pacific University School of Music (Azusa, CA)
Along with the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, the Azusa Pacific University School of Music is perhaps the most prominent music school in the US with a strong religious affiliation.

In fact, one of the school’s majors is very unique, both appropriate for the religious theme of the school as well as for finding a job in ministry or ecclesiastical music. The school’s Bachelor’s in Music and Worship is an intriguing undergraduate degree that not only places a specific emphasis on learning the Church music repertoire, but also how to be a leader in Masses and other religious services.

I have talked before in some of my articles how finding a full time job in a church can be provide a substantial living. Perhaps this degree-granting Bachelor’s track would be a good option for those looking to make it into this field.

Additionally, the school is also home to an impressive symphonic orchestra that has become known for public performances of both modern and classic repertoire. Here is an impressive, newly-released YouTube recording of the orchestra playing the Shostakovich Symphony here.

A rising and young school of music, Azusa Pacific’s School of Music only became accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music less than a decade ago, in 2007.

University of Denver Lamont School of Music (Denver, CO)

photo by Great Degree via Flickr Creative Commons
The Lamont School of Music should be considered among the top music schools in the country more frequently, particularly for instrumental & jazz performance.

The Lamont School of Music, which has been recognized by the city of Denver in multiple years with the Mayor’s Award for Excellence In the Arts, is prominently located in one of the cities with the best music scenes in the country.

Two well-established classical music organizations, the Colorado Symphony & Opera Colorado, call Denver their home. Some students even participate in these ensembles, gaining professional, real-world experience while completing their undergraduate degrees.

Jazz students at the University of Denver Lamont School of Music are provided the opportunity to perform at a number of local music venues and establishments, including the Marquis Theater, Dazzle Jazz Club, and Summit Music Hall, among many other fine live venues.

The faculty at the school is first-rate, with many of their teachers being prizewinners of major international competitions as well as past faculty members at many other prominent music schools.

Additionally, the school is also home to one of the nation’s most impressive Performing Arts Centers in the entire country, the Robert and Judi Newman Center for Performing Arts. This performing arts center boasts over 150,000 attendees annually, a 1,000 seat opera house, 500+ concerts every year, a black-box theatre, and more.

This Performing Arts Center is also widely known as a haven for living performing artists and composers, frequently commissioning many original works every single year.

The school’s enrollment is kept to a strategic minimum of just about 300 – with a first-rate performing arts facility, prominent college faculty, high-level performance-intensive programs, and a very small student size, this school is a true hidden gem in the landscape of excellent American music schools.

McNally Smith College of Music (Saint Paul, MN)
Is McNally Smith a true hidden gem? For those looking into popular and contemporary music performance, writing, and production at other top schools like Berklee and USC, McNally Smith may just be among the best schools in the world for your talents.

Founded in 1985, the McNally Smith College of Music currently houses just a little bit more than 500 total students. The college is known for its small, intimate size, as well as its easy access to college studios and other facilities.

The faculty at McNally Smith has demonstrated a high level of credibility in their field – some have won Grammy awards, “Gold” RIAA certification; others have performed on Broadway and in prominent concert venues throughout the entire world. The teachers also have diverse backgrounds perfect for the typical contemporary musician’s educational needs – many are music business executives, successful songwriters, virtuoso performers, and more.

As far as I know, McNally Smith is the only school in the entire world that offers an accredited degree in hip-hop performance. Aspiring rap artists and R&B producers, look no further than this program.

Some of the notable alumni that have graduated from McNally Smith include the manager of Bon Iver, Kyle Frenette, as well as prominent live-looping guitarist and songwriter, Ari Herstand.

Located in Saint Paul, this school may be the best option in the midwest or beyond for those looking into contemporary & popular performance styles.

Bass School of Music, Oklahoma City University (Oklahoma City, OK)

photo by Matthew Rutledge via Flickr Creative Commons
The Bass School of Music has gradually come into more and more prominence over the last decade, particularly for the strength of its musical theatre and opera/voice programs, which are among the very best in the entire world. The school and its talented students regularly put on productions of many of the world’s most renowned operas and musicals, including, in recent years, La Boheme, West Side Story, The Magic Flute, Falstaff, Seussical, and very appropriately, Oklahoma!.

Many of the musical theatre alumni at the school have gone on to join companies on Broadway and in casts throughout the entire world. One of their most distinguished and most notable alumni is American actress, vocalist, and musical theatre artist Kristin Chenoweth.

Their students have become some of the most recognized in their industry. One of their students, at the time of this writing, is a finalist in the International Trumpet Guild solo competition, perhaps the most recognized classical trumpet competition worldwide. Another trumpet alumnus of the Bass School of Music is now the principal player in the Alabama Symphony.

The resources at the Bass School of Music are phenomenal as well – the school is an All-Steinway School, meaning that the school is stocked with some of the very best grand pianos in the entire world. The school also has a sponsorship with Conn-Selmer, a prominent manufacturer of “band” instruments such as clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, etc.

Known as being a hub of unique culture in the state of Oklahoma, the Bass School of Music has been awarded the ASCAP prize for “adventurous programming in contemporary music” for orchestra.

The school size is kept to a comfortable size, with a faculty to student ratio of 14:1, which is comparable to any of the major music conservatories in the world.

The Bass School of Music, its faculty, its students, and its alumni are sure to make even more waves in the field of music for many years to come.

All of the above are ten music schools that are true hidden gems, schools that are comparable and competitive to similar schools but perhaps not as frequently mentioned, for some reason or another.

Think I missed any other great “hidden gem” music schools? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Featured Image by Matthew Rutledge Via Flickr Creative Commons

Since music is such a broad field, music education graduates may pursue different career paths. Some become music teachers in the elementary and secondary levels in public, private, or charter schools. However, within teaching music, there are always specializations, such as music theory/history or a specific instrument.

Some graduates become professional composers or musicians either as part of a symphony, orchestra, band, or on their own. Composers write music for film, orchestras, symphonies, or other musicians.

Then, there are others who go “behind the scenes” in music and work as producers or sound engineers for radio or TV stations, recording studios, or film industries.

Here are some careers that you can pursue with a bachelor’s in music education:

K-12 music teacher
Band director
Choir director
Vocal coach
Private instrument teacher
Professional musician
Composer
Sound engineering technician
Production manager
Some music education graduates use their bachelor’s degree as a pathway to earn a master’s and/or doctoral degree in music, too. As you can see, the opportunities for a bachelor’s in music education are numerous.

Bachelor’s in Music Education Salary Potential
It’s hard to pinpoint a salary potential in the music education field because of the vast range of careers. However, we can look at some data from the U.S. Bureau of Statistics to get at least an idea of how much you could make with a bachelor’s in music education.

BLS does not have a category for music teachers, but they do state that high school teachers bring in an average of $61,660 per year; while elementary school teachers make around $59,420 annually.

Music directors and composers are combined into one category and make an average of $51,670 per year. Broadcast and sound engineering technicians earn an average of $45,510 a year or $21.88 per hour.

BLS does not report an annual salary for musicians and singers but does state that these professionals make approximately $30.39 per hour. Because you do not need a formal education to become a musician or singer, we suspect that those with a bachelor’s in music would earn more.

What Are the Best Bachelor’s in Music Education Degrees?
At CollegeRank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

1
University of Florida
LOCATION
Gainesville, Florida

AVERAGE NET PRICE
$11,313

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Florida Gators are strong achievers, and currently, the average incoming GPA for freshman is 4.5 (Yes, you read that right!) According to UF, its “students utilize more than 200 research, service and education centers, bureaus and institutes,” so if you’re thinking of UF for a Bachelor of Arts in music, be ready to work hard and get involved!

One reason why UF made our #1 ranking is the option to tailor your degree program. Along with a BA in music, you will choose a concentration in entrepreneurship, event management, music, music history and literature, music history and literature: ethnomusicology, or music theory and composition. You can also choose to minor in other subjects such as English, history, or psychology.

Through this 120-credit hour program, you will take critical tracking courses, including Music Theory I, II, III, and IV, Recital Attendance, and Music History Survey courses. Because this program includes so many options, your courses will vary, but the end result is a music concentration degree from a top-ranked college, which will surely get to your career dreams.

2
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
LOCATION
Ann Arbor, Michigan

AVERAGE NET PRICE
$16,856

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You probably know that UM-Ann Arbor boasts many rankings, including #3 in National Undergraduate Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report. Now, let’s check out UM’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance bachelor, a highly ranked school offering more than 40 undergraduate programs, including the bachelor’s of music in music and technology.

According to UM-Ann Arbor, the bachelor’s program prepares you for “creative use of music technology” relating to “performance, production, recording, composition, studio and live sound engineering, and music and sound for film, television, or video games.” Coursework includes courses like Computer Music Composition and Arranging, Creative Coding, and Sound Recording and Production.

In this program, you will be a part of a close-knit group of your classmates and faculty. Since an average of only 20 students are admitted each year, you can expect one-on-one guidance through your entire program. To apply, you need a live or recorded audition on your instrument or voice and submit an artistic profile. Check out more information on the application process here.

3
Indiana University
LOCATION
Bloomington, Indiana

AVERAGE NET PRICE
$11,931

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Being #IUSTRONG means joining the Hoosier community at Indiana University and getting top-ranked education amidst inspiring faculty and peers. As one of America’s top research universities, IU boasts over 700K graduates, and you could be one of them. If you want to share your love of music with others, IU’s Jacobs School of Music offers a highly ranked bachelor’s of music education.

Teaching music may seem overwhelming, but thank goodness for concentrations to narrow down your goals based on your interests. In this program, you will choose an area of emphasis, including choral, general, band, or orchestra. After taking general education courses, you will apply for the teacher education program during your sophomore year.

Along with general education requirements and electives, you will complete 27 credit hours in core music classes and 52 credit hours in music education classes. During your last semester, you will, you guessed it, student teach in your own classroom. Interested in IU? Apply to the college with a maintain at least a 2.5 GPA so you can apply to the TEP program.

4
University of Wisconsin, Madison
LOCATION
Madison, Wisconsin

AVERAGE NET PRICE
$14,169

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UW-Madison has a long history of faculty and alumni Nobel Prize awards dating back to 1944 when Joseph Erlanger and Herbert Gasser won the Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine. From UW-Madison, you will find 9,000+ courses offered throughout 450+ undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. One of these is the BA in music from the Mead Witter School of Music.

The program’s website states that the greatest strength of this program is its people “staff, faculty, and students”- who are daily immersed in learning, building, researching, writing and making music.” Mentoring is a key part of the degree program, and you will receive one-on-one and small group instruction while being a part of the music culture at UW-Madison.

Your specific program of study will be created with a School of Music faculty member and will include Performance courses with a specific instrument, Music Theory, Music History, Piano Skills, and Music Emphasis courses that serve as electives. To get into the program, you must first be accepted to UW – Madison and then apply and audition during your second year.

5
Rowan University
LOCATION
Glassboro, New Jersey

AVERAGE NET PRICE
$21,535

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Rowan University, a highly-ranked public research institution, aims to become “a new model for higher education by being inclusive, agile, and responsive,” while meeting the needs of all students (RU mission statement). If your niche is within music technology, join RU’s vibrant, diverse student body and choose the Bachelor of Science in music industry.

In this program, you can choose between two specializations: music technology or music business. If you are interested in music production, go for music technology, whereas if you’re interested in the management and marketing side, choose music business. Major requirements of both specializations include courses like Survey of Record Production, Music Fundamentals, and History of Popular Music.

You will complete two summer internships where you can gain hands-on experience in the production industry. An in-depth capstone project is required during your last two semesters. Because of this program’s relevance, graduates can pursue a plethora of careers such as record producers, recording artists, sound designers, or start or join a business in the music industry.

6
New York University
LOCATION
New York City, New York

AVERAGE NET PRICE
$39,935

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What better place to study music than New York City, the capital of the music industry? NYU Steinhardt is one of innovation and culture and also one where talented graduates achieve great things, like Grammy Awards, for example! NYU Steinhardt more than 200 degree programs, including our #6 ranking, the Bachelor of music in music technology.

Along with core liberal arts classes, you will take core music and technology courses in music theory, keyboard harmony and improvisation, and electronic technology. Also, mandatory traveling abroad? Yes, please. You will spend a semester in Prague or Paris, not to mention the countless opportunities to immerse yourself in New York City performance venues like Sony Music and the Metropolitan Opera!

With this program, you will be ready to explore careers such as “sound recording and engineering, music production, electronic music, sound and music computing, hardware development, game audio, film and video sound post-production, and XR (AR/VR) systems” (NYU program website). To apply to this program, you will need to submit an artistic portfolio detailed here.

7
SUNY Potsdam
LOCATION
Potsdam, New York

AVERAGE NET PRICE
$13,749

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The oldest institution in the State University of New York system, SUNY Postdam is nestled in the Adirondack Mountains, surrounded by natural beauty which contributes to the school’s warm, close-knit culture. The Crane School of Music offers a Bachelor of Arts in music, a comprehensive program that you can tailor to your interests or combine with another field of study.

The great aspect of this BA in music is that you can shape your degree any way you want with at least 43 electives. For example, some students have graduated with a focus on music technology, music therapy, music history, or music business. Minors outside of the music department can also be included, like psychology or art history, for example.

Another perk of this program is the tight-knit group of students and faculty. With just a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you will benefit from personalized attention and collaborative learning. To become a part of the “Crane tradition,” you have three steps to complete, and they can be in any order: apply for undergraduate admission, complete an audition, and submit letters of recommendation.

8
SUNY Fredonia
LOCATION
Fredonia, New York

AVERAGE NET PRICE
$14,775

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Another branch of the State University of New York system, SUNY Fredonia, spans across its beautiful, 256-acre campus in Chautauqua County. Highly ranked by Money Magazine, Princeton Review, and U.S. News & World Report for academic excellence and affordability, SUNY Fredonia’s 80+ majors include the Bachelor of Arts in music – a top choice!

The BA in music offers five tracks to choose from: General, Jazz Studies, Entrepreneurship, Technology, and History and Literature. You can customize your program to meet your interests and goals; for example, you can combine arts, sciences, education, and business courses. Sample courses include Conducting, Aural Skills, and Music History in Western Civilization.

As a student at SUNY Fredonia, you will take part in field experiences, internships, and tours, as well as rehearse and perform in the state-of-the-art facilities on campus. You can also get involved in student clubs, ranging from music therapy to music education. You will seriously become immersed in your love of music during your time at SUNY Fredonia!

9
University of Southern California
LOCATION
Los Angeles, California

AVERAGE NET PRICE
$36,161

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A top-ranked private university in Los Angeles, USC houses the Thorton School of Music, which is not only the oldest in Los Angeles, it ranks “among the top one percent of the nation’s music and conservatories” (USC website). If you want to pursue a career in performing music, check out the school’s Music’s Bachelor of music – popular music performance.

The degree entails 132 units, which, along with general education courses, include program intensive courses like Drumming Proficiency for the Popular Musician, Songwriting, and Careers in Music. Along with 22 units of electives to choose from, you will complete a capstone project during your final semester.

Hearing students describe their experiences in this program beats everything else! Watch this short video, USC Thorton Students in their own words, to fully understand all that the BM in popular music performance has to offer. To apply, first apply to USC and once accepted, complete and submit the USC Thorton SlideRoom Portfolio, which is detailed here.

10
Northwestern University
LOCATION
Evanston, Illinois

AVERAGE NET PRICE
$27,540

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Ranked among the best national and global universities by both U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education, Northwestern University continually lives up to its reputation as a top-tier research school. Founded in 1895, NU’s Bienen School of Music is one of the oldest music schools in the country. Here, you can pursue a non-performance Bachelor of Arts in music.

Within the BA in music, you will choose one of the four specializations: music theory, music cognition, music composition, or musicology. You can also petition for a concentration that combines areas in your specialization, such as music and film. Notable courses include Music Theory, Aural Skills, and The Classical Canon.

As a student, you will have access to the Northwestern University Music Library – one of the nation’s largest! To apply, NU requires that you read music, include a video or recording of yourself playing your primary instrument, a five-page essay on a musical topic, and a one-page statement of purpose on the specialization you wish to pursue.