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

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Universities 492 Programs 1,109 Scholarships 566

121Bachelor's Degree

#218 in United States United States

Music

State University of New York at Albany — The Bachelor's Degree in Music at the State University of New York at Albany offers a comprehensive and enriching program that dives deep into the multifaceted world of m...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

122Bachelor's Degree

#218 in United States United States

Theatre

State University of New York at Albany — The Bachelor's degree in Theatre at the University at Albany provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the art and practice of theatre. The curriculum cover...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

123Bachelor's Degree

#220 in United States United States

Music Composition for Media

California University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

—Duration

Mode

—Intake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

124Master's Degree

#220 in United States United States

Music Composition for the Screen Master's Degree

California University of Pennsylvania

Master's DegreeLevel

—Duration

Mode

—Intake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

125Bachelor's Degree

#220 in United States United States

Music Production

California University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

—Duration

Mode

—Intake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

126Bachelor's Degree

#220 in United States United States

Music Technology

California University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

—Duration

Mode

—Intake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

127Bachelor's Degree

#220 in United States United States

Musical Theatre

California University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

—Duration

Mode

—Intake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

128Bachelor's Degree

#233 in United States United States

Music

Boston College

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

129Bachelor's Degree

#233 in United States United States

Theatre

Boston College

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

130Bachelor's Degree

#234 in United States United States

Dance, B.F.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences

San Diego State University — The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Dance at San Diego State University is designed to immerse students in the multifaceted world of dance as a form of applied arts and...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Dance

View program → About the university

131Bachelor's Degree

#235 in United States United States

Acting Concentration, BIS in Theatre

Georgia State University — The Acting Concentration within the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Theatre at Georgia State University provides students with a comprehensive education in theat...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

132Bachelor's Degree

#237 in United States United States

Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music

University of North Texas — The Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music at the University of North Texas Health Science Center prepares students for a dynamic career in the music industry through a com...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

133Bachelor's Degree

#250 in United States United States

Dance Performance

Southern Methodist University — The Bachelor's degree in Dance Performance at Southern Methodist University provides an immersive environment where students can hone their craft and express their artist...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

134Bachelor's Degree

#254 in United States United States

Dance

Loyola University Chicago — The Bachelor's Degree in Dance at Loyola University Chicago offers a comprehensive exploration of dance as an art form and a medium of expression. The program covers vari...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

135Bachelor's Degree

#255 in United States United States

Choral Music

Baylor University — Course OverviewThe Bachelor's degree in Choral Music at Baylor University provides students with a comprehensive understanding of vocal performance, conducting, and music...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

136Bachelor's Degree

#255 in United States United States

Church Music

Baylor University — The Bachelor’s Degree in Church Music at Baylor University is designed to develop skilled musicians who are prepared to serve in various church settings. The curriculum c...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

137Bachelor's Degree

#255 in United States United States

Composition

Baylor University — The Bachelor’s Degree in Composition at Baylor University offers a comprehensive and immersive exploration of musical composition across various styles and genres. Studen...

Bachelor's DegreeLevel

4 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

138Program

#255 in United States United States

Dance

Baylor University — The Dance degree program at Baylor University offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to cultivate well-rounded performers and educators in the field of dance. Through...

—Level

—Duration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

139Master's Degree

#256 in United States United States

Acting - M.F.A.

Kent State University — The Master of Fine Arts in Acting at Kent State University provides a comprehensive and immersive experience into the world of performance. This program is designed to re...

Master's DegreeLevel

1–2 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, Spring, SummerIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

140Master's Degree

#257 in United States Kent, Ohio, United States

Acting

Kent State University at Kent — The Master's Degree in Acting at Kent State University provides a comprehensive and immersive experience in the art of performance. This program is designed to enhance yo...

Master's DegreeLevel

1–2 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, Spring, SummerIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

141Master's Degree

#262 in United States United States

Acting

Ohio University — The Master's Degree in Acting at Ohio University-Main Campus offers an immersive experience for aspiring actors aiming to refine their craft and explore their creative po...

Master's DegreeLevel

1–2 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

142Master's Degree

#262 in United States United States

Acting

Ohio University — The Master's Degree in Acting at Ohio University is designed for individuals passionate about the performing arts, offering a comprehensive curriculum that combines theor...

Master's DegreeLevel

1–2 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

143Program

#262 in United States United States

Actor Musicianship - Music Focus

Ohio University — The Actor Musicianship - Music Focus program at Ohio University provides an innovative blend of performance, music, and acting. Students engage in a comprehensive study t...

—Level

—Duration

Full TimeMode

Fall, SpringIntake

Music & Performing Arts

View program → About the university

144Program

#262 in United States United States

Actor Musicianship - Theater Focus

Ohio University — The Actor Musicianship - Theater Focus program at Ohio University is an innovative degree that merges the art of acting with the skills of musicianship. This unique cours...

—Level

—Duration

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).

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