1,109 Best Music & Performing Arts Programs in the United States

1,109 Music & Performing Arts courses are taught at 492 universities in the United States; the most common length is 4 years. The list starts with courses at Cornell University, University of Chicago and Princeton University.

Subject

Level

University type

Location

Reset

Universities 492 Programs 1,109 Scholarships 566

49Bachelor's Degree

QS World #203 #50 in United States Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Acting

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities provides a robust and dynamic curriculum designed to cultivate the skills necessary for a s...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

50Bachelor's Degree

QS World #203 #50 in United States Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Acting B.F.A.

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Acting at the University of Minnesota provides a comprehensive education in theatrical performance, emphasizing both skill developme...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

51Bachelor's Degree

QS World #203 #50 in United States Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Dance

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — The Bachelor’s Degree in Dance at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers students a comprehensive education in the art of dance, encompassing performance, choreog...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

52Bachelor's Degree

QS World #236 #54 in United States United States

Dance: Creative Expression and Performance

University of Rochester — The Bachelor’s Degree in Dance: Creative Expression and Performance at the University of Rochester is designed for students who aspire to explore the art of dance in a co...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

53Bachelor's Degree

QS World #236 #54 in United States United States

Dance: Dance Studies

University of Rochester — The Bachelor's Degree in Dance: Dance Studies at the University of Rochester offers a comprehensive exploration of dance as an art form, focusing on its historical, cultu...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

54Bachelor's Degree

QS World #275 #61 in United States United States

Dance

University of Virginia, Charlottesville — The Bachelor of Dance program at the University of Virginia offers a comprehensive exploration of the art and science of dance, emphasizing both performance and academic...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

55Bachelor's Degree

QS World #275 #61 in United States United States

Drama

University of Virginia, Charlottesville — The Bachelor's Degree in Drama at the University of Virginia offers students a comprehensive education in the dramatic arts, combining theoretical understanding with prac...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

56Bachelor's Degree

QS World #281 #65 in United States United States

Theatre Arts

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown — The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown offers an immersive experience into the world of performance, design, and theatre produc...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

57Bachelor's Degree

QS World #285 #68 in United States United States

American Musical Cultures

Georgetown University — The Bachelor’s Degree in American Musical Cultures at Georgetown University delves into the diverse soundscapes and rich musical heritage of the United States. This cours...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

58Bachelor's Degree

QS World #294 #71 in United States United States

Dance

Case Western Reserve University — The Bachelor’s Degree in Dance at Case Western Reserve University is a comprehensive program designed for those who aspire to immerse themselves in the world of dance thr...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

59Bachelor's Degree

QS World #294 #71 in United States United States

Theater Arts

Case Western Reserve University — Course OverviewThe Bachelor's Degree in Theater Arts at Case Western Reserve University offers students a comprehensive education that bridges the gap between artistic cr...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

60Bachelor's Degree

QS World #334 #86 in United States United States

Music, Sound, and Culture

Tufts University — The Bachelor’s degree in Music, Sound, and Culture at Tufts University offers a comprehensive exploration of the diverse and rich world of music and sound as pivotal elem...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

61Bachelor's Degree

QS World #334 #86 in United States United States

Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies

Tufts University — Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies at Tufts University is an interdisciplinary program that explores the rich tapestry of performance arts. Students engage deeply wi...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

62Program

QS World #428 #93 in United States United States

Performance for Film and TV Minor

University of Colorado at Denver — The Performance for Film and TV Minor at the University of Colorado at Denver is designed to nurture aspiring actors and performers looking to enhance their skills in the...

—Level

—Duration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

63Program

QS World #428 #93 in United States United States

Theater, Film and Television Minor

University of Colorado at Denver — The Theater, Film and Television Minor at the University of Colorado at Denver is designed for students who wish to explore the dynamic intersection of performance and di...

—Level

—Duration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

64Bachelor's Degree

QS World #442 #97 in United States Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Theatre

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

65Bachelor's Degree

QS World #452 #98 in United States United States

Music

State University of New York at Stony Brook — The Bachelor's Degree in Music at Stony Brook University offers a comprehensive exploration of music theory, performance, and history. Students engage with a diverse curr...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

66Bachelor's Degree

QS World #452 #98 in United States United States

Music

State University of New York at Stony Brook — The Bachelor's Degree in Music at the State University of New York at Stony Brook offers a comprehensive exploration of musical practices, theories, and performance. This...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

67Bachelor's Degree

QS World #488 #113 in United States United States

Performing Arts

University of Hawaii at Hilo — The Bachelor's Degree in Performing Arts at the University of Hawaii at Hilo offers a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic world of theatre, dance, and music. Student...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

68Bachelor's Degree

QS World #488 #114 in United States United States

Music Composition

University of Hawaii at Manoa — The Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition at the University of Hawaii at Manoa provides students with a comprehensive education in the art of music creation and theory....

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

69Bachelor's Degree

QS World #488 #115 in United States United States

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Windward Community College

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

70Bachelor's Degree

QS World #488 #115 in United States United States

Bachelor of Music

Windward Community College

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

71Bachelor's Degree

QS World #488 #115 in United States United States

Music Administrative Studies

Windward Community College

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

72Bachelor's Degree

QS World #488 #115 in United States United States

Music Recording Arts

Windward Community College

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

Music & Performing Arts at other levels

Bachelor's Music & Performing Arts Diploma Music & Performing Arts Master's Music & Performing Arts Professional Music & Performing Arts

Related subjects

Music Theatre & Drama

Popular collections

Bachelor's Programs Social Sciences & Psychology Programs Business & Management Programs Medicine & Health Sciences Programs Master's Programs Education Programs Bachelor's Social Sciences & Psychology Programs Engineering Programs Computer Science & IT Programs Bachelor's Business & Management Programs

How these courses are ranked

37 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #13 (Cornell University) to #596 (University of Iowa); they are listed first, in that order. The rest are ordered by research impact. Cornell University has the largest research record in this group, with 57,855,264 citations and an h-index of 1,875. 5 universities have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".

Levels, lengths and start dates

By level: 802 bachelor's, 40 master's, 30 diploma and 22 professional. Within the subject, the largest areas are Music & Performing Arts (1,053), Music (26), Theatre & Drama (11) and Dance (8). The usual length is 4 years and 2 years. 99% are full-time and 15 can be studied online. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (98% of courses with a stated intake). Berklee College of Music offers the widest choice, with 42 of these courses.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top universities for Music & Performing Arts in the United States?

Cornell University (QS World #13), University of Chicago (QS World #13) and Princeton University (QS World #15) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

Which is the cheapest university for Music & Performing Arts in the United States?

Of those with published fees, Wayne State College is the least expensive at about USD 8,216 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.

How long does a Music & Performing Arts course take in the United States?

Most listed courses run 4 years, with 2 years the next most common.

When do Music & Performing Arts courses start in the United States?

Fall is the main intake — 100% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Spring is the second.

Can I study Music & Performing Arts online with a university in the United States?

15 of these courses are listed as online.

Which university has the most Music & Performing Arts courses in the United States?

Berklee College of Music, with 42, ahead of Rice University (20).

Get your destination country university & scholarship updates

New scholarships, application deadlines and admission guides — a couple of emails a month, no spam.