TopUniversitiesUSA

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.

62 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
49
SC Salem College logo

Salem College

Winston Salem, North Carolina · Private University · Est. 1772

US #1124 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$18,277/yr
Admission rate
77%
Earnings (10yr)
$44,640
Students
423
50
BC Bard College logo

Bard College

Annandale-On-Hudson, New York · Private University · Est. 1860

US #1182 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$34,649/yr
Admission rate
52%
Earnings (10yr)
$46,543
Students
2,414
51
GC Greensboro College logo

Greensboro College

Greensboro, North Carolina · Private University · Est. 1838

US #1183 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$17,882/yr
Admission rate
70%
Earnings (10yr)
$46,566
Students
708
52
OC Oberlin College logo

Oberlin College

Oberlin, Ohio · Private University · Est. 1833

US #1187 ROI C Admissions open
Net price
$38,645/yr
Admission rate
34%
Earnings (10yr)
$58,343
Students
2,887
53
AB Arlington Baptist University logo

Arlington Baptist University

Arlington, Texas · Private University · Est. 1939

US #1365 ROI C Admissions open
Net price
$24,906/yr
Earnings (10yr)
$44,644
Students
284
54
VM Visible Music College logo

Visible Music College

Memphis, Tennessee · Private University · Est. 2000

US #1445 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$27,820/yr
Admission rate
28%
Earnings (10yr)
$35,933
Students
79
55
BC Berklee College of Music logo

Berklee College of Music

Boston, Massachusetts · Private University · Est. 1945

US #1468 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$49,465/yr
Admission rate
44%
Earnings (10yr)
$33,647
Students
7,468
56
LP Life Pacific University logo

Life Pacific University

San Dimas, California · Private University · Est. 1923

US #1557 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$20,898/yr
Admission rate
96%
Earnings (10yr)
$43,299
Students
456
57
JS The Juilliard School logo

The Juilliard School

New York, New York · Private University · Est. 1905

US #1648 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$43,571/yr
Admission rate
9%
Earnings (10yr)
$37,827
Students
468
58
MS Manhattan School of Music logo

Manhattan School of Music

New York, New York · Private University · Est. 1917

US #1718 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$51,754/yr
Admission rate
41%
Earnings (10yr)
$26,878
Students
539
59
NE The New England Conservatory of Music logo

The New England Conservatory of Music

Boston, Massachusetts · Private University · Est. 1867

US #1723 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$46,754/yr
Admission rate
41%
Earnings (10yr)
$34,483
Students
393
60
CI Cleveland Institute of Music logo

Cleveland Institute of Music

Cleveland, Ohio · Private University · Est. 1920

US #1731 ROI F Admissions open
Net price
$28,226/yr
Admission rate
47%
Earnings (10yr)
$32,641
Students
159
61
CI Curtis Institute of Music logo

Curtis Institute of Music

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Private University · Est. 1924

US #1748 Admissions open
Admission rate
5%
Students
109
62
SF San Francisco Conservatory of Music logo

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

San Francisco, California · Private University · Est. 1917

US #1768 Admissions open
Net price
$42,607/yr
Admission rate
55%
Students
226

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 Salem College, Bard College, Greensboro College. 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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