62 Best Private Professional Music & Performing Arts Universities in the USA

Compare 228 programs at 62 universities in the USA — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 228 Universities 62 Scholarships 0

62 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida · Private University · Est. 1925

US #8 QS World #250 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $37,244/yr
Admission rate: 19%
Earnings (10yr): $75,328
Students: 12,913

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University of Denver

Denver, Colorado · Private University · Est. 1864

US #35 QS World #701 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $36,131/yr
Admission rate: 78%
Earnings (10yr): $71,155
Students: 6,025

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Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee · Private University · Est. 1892

US #43 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $24,345/yr
Admission rate: 66%
Earnings (10yr): $53,723
Students: 2,773

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University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California · Private University · Est. 1880

US #51 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $32,740/yr
Admission rate: 10%
Earnings (10yr): $92,498
Students: 20,443

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Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, New York · Private University · Est. 1754

US #58 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $21,590/yr
Admission rate: 4%
Earnings (10yr): $102,491
Students: 8,973

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Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois · Private University · Est. 1851

US #60 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $29,167/yr
Admission rate: 8%
Earnings (10yr): $89,363
Students: 9,201

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New York University

New York, New York · Private University · Est. 1831

US #61 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $37,050/yr
Admission rate: 9%
Earnings (10yr): $82,509
Students: 28,663

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Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts · Private University · Est. 1869

US #68 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $24,402/yr
Admission rate: 11%
Earnings (10yr): $83,238
Students: 18,248

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Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts · Private University · Est. 1636

US #74 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $19,066/yr
Admission rate: 4%
Earnings (10yr): $101,817
Students: 7,601

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University of Rochester

Rochester, New York · Private University · Est. 1850

US #88 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $29,278/yr
Admission rate: 40%
Earnings (10yr): $79,042
Students: 6,331

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Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut · Private University · Est. 1701

US #89 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $23,777/yr
Admission rate: 4%
Earnings (10yr): $100,533
Students: 6,758

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Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland · Private University · Est. 1876

US #93 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $18,809/yr
Admission rate: 6%
Earnings (10yr): $87,555
Students: 5,693

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Cornell University

Ithaca, New York · Private University · Est. 1865

US #98 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $28,690/yr
Admission rate: 9%
Earnings (10yr): $104,043
Students: 15,995

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Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania · Private University · Est. 1842

US #105 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $43,756/yr
Admission rate: 27%
Earnings (10yr): $100,423
Students: 6,938

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Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia · Private University · Est. 1971

US #135 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $29,357/yr
Admission rate: 99%
Earnings (10yr): $44,813
Students: 50,012

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Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Private University · Est. 1900

US #151 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $31,944/yr
Admission rate: 12%
Earnings (10yr): $114,862
Students: 7,304

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DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois · Private University · Est. 1898

US #180 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $30,902/yr
Admission rate: 76%
Earnings (10yr): $68,751
Students: 14,090

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Southern Methodist University

Dallas, Texas · Private University · Est. 1911

US #204 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $40,892/yr
Admission rate: 63%
Earnings (10yr): $78,354
Students: 7,277

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University of Hartford

West Hartford, Connecticut · Private University · Est. 1957

US #213 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $30,282/yr
Admission rate: 96%
Earnings (10yr): $60,823
Students: 4,146

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The Catholic University of America

Washington, District of Columbia · Private University · Est. 1887

US #222 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $29,561/yr
Admission rate: 83%
Earnings (10yr): $73,250
Students: 3,154

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University of Mary

Bismarck, North Dakota · Private University · Est. 1959

US #234 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $17,770/yr
Admission rate: 75%
Earnings (10yr): $60,909
Students: 2,416

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Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Private University · Est. 1878

US #251 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $37,730/yr
Admission rate: 84%
Earnings (10yr): $74,742
Students: 5,350

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Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas · Private University · Est. 1873

US #278 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $36,660/yr
Admission rate: 44%
Earnings (10yr): $68,424
Students: 11,026

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University of Redlands

Redlands, California · Private University · Est. 1907

US #327 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $30,031/yr
Admission rate: 83%
Earnings (10yr): $72,690
Students: 2,049

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Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for private Professional Music & Performing Arts universities in the USA?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include University of Miami, University of Denver, Southern Adventist University. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study private Professional Music & Performing Arts universities in the USA?

Costs vary widely by university: public institutions charge in-state residents far less than out-of-state and international students, and private universities set one price for everyone. Every listing above shows the published tuition and net price we hold from the federal College Scorecard, so you can compare like with like.

Can international students work while studying private Professional Music & Performing Arts universities in the USA?

Yes, within the rules of the F-1 student visa: on-campus work during term, Curricular Practical Training tied to the program, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating — with a longer extension for eligible STEM degrees.

About private Professional Music & Performing Arts universities in the USA

This page lists private Professional Music & Performing Arts universities in the USA held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Program and cost figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

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