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368 Best Public Bachelor's Music & Performing Arts Universities in the United States

Cornell University leads the 368 Public Bachelor's Music & Performing Arts universities in the United States at #13 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. University of Chicago (QS World #13) and Duke University (QS World #26) complete the top three. Across the whole list there are 801 courses to choose from.

368 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
23Ranked
WC Windward Community College logo
QS World #488 #115 in United States United States

Windward Community College

Public University · 6 courses in Bachelor's Music & Performing Arts

All 6 courses →
Tuition (indicative)
Founded
Students
International
Admissions open
#488 QS World University Rankings 2025
#115 in United States

How these universities are ranked

27 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #13 (Cornell University) to #548 (Lehigh University); they are listed first, in that order. Below them, universities follow their research output: Cornell University is cited most (57,855,264 citations). 3 universities have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".

Public, private and where they are

368 are public and 0 private (100% public). By location, Massachusetts (2), Ohio (1) and Minnesota (1) account for the most of those we can place. Ohio State University-Main Campus is the largest, with 45,638 students.

Levels, lengths and start dates

Within the subject, the largest areas are Music & Performing Arts (747), Music (25), Theatre & Drama (11) and Dance (8). The usual length is 4 years and 2 years. 99% are full-time and 11 can be studied online. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (100% of courses with a stated intake). Berklee College of Music offers the widest choice, with 33 of these courses.

What it costs

We hold indicative fees for 9 of these universities. Wayne State College is the least expensive at USD 8,216 a year and Ohio State University-Main Campus the most at USD 40,022; the middle of the range is about USD 19,203. Check each university's own fee page before you budget — figures change every year.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top universities for Public Bachelor's Music & Performing Arts in the United States?

Cornell University (QS World #13), University of Chicago (QS World #13) and Duke University (QS World #26) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

Which is the cheapest university for Public Bachelor's 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 many public universities offer Public Bachelor's Music & Performing Arts in the United States?

368 public and 0 private universities are on this list.

How long does a Public Bachelor's Music & Performing Arts course take in the United States?

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

When do Public Bachelor's 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 Public Bachelor's Music & Performing Arts online with a university in the United States?

11 of these courses are listed as online.

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