161 Best Professional Music & Performing Arts Universities in the USA

Compare 228 programs at 161 universities in the USA — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 228 Universities 161 Scholarships 0

161 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan · Public University · Est. 1855

US #2 QS World #158 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $19,680/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $67,253
Students: 40,922

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Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey · Public University · Est. 1766

US #6 QS World #217 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $24,406/yr
Admission rate: 58%
Earnings (10yr): $74,479
Students: 37,751

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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 Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut · Public University · Est. 1881

US #15 QS World #461 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $25,097/yr
Admission rate: 52%
Earnings (10yr): $73,997
Students: 19,835

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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, Tennessee · Public University · Est. 1794

US #19 QS World #501 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $18,976/yr
Admission rate: 42%
Earnings (10yr): $60,249
Students: 30,418

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University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York · Public University · Est. 1846

US #21 QS World #521 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $20,995/yr
Admission rate: 74%
Earnings (10yr): $70,814
Students: 20,112

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University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, Missouri · Public University · Est. 1839

US #22 QS World #541 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $20,268/yr
Admission rate: 78%
Earnings (10yr): $63,403
Students: 23,929

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University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky · Public University · Est. 1865

US #24 QS World #601 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $18,851/yr
Admission rate: 93%
Earnings (10yr): $59,025
Students: 24,763

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University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon · Public University · Est. 1876

US #28 QS World #601 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $22,182/yr
Admission rate: 88%
Earnings (10yr): $61,324
Students: 20,497

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Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1884

US #32 QS World #631 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $28,198/yr
Admission rate: 80%
Earnings (10yr): $63,727
Students: 20,970

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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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Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, Arizona · Public University · Est. 1885

US #41 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $14,967/yr
Admission rate: 90%
Earnings (10yr): $62,668
Students: 64,674

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University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, Ohio · Public University · Est. 1819

US #42 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $25,648/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $54,810
Students: 29,882

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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 Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, Wisconsin · Public University · Est. 1848

US #44 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $17,354/yr
Admission rate: 45%
Earnings (10yr): $73,792
Students: 36,902

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University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1787

US #45 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $30,434/yr
Admission rate: 58%
Earnings (10yr): $66,125
Students: 20,370

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University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida · Public University · Est. 1853

US #47 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $6,541/yr
Admission rate: 24%
Earnings (10yr): $71,588
Students: 35,629

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University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas · Public University · Est. 1864

US #50 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $18,059/yr
Admission rate: 93%
Earnings (10yr): $61,945
Students: 21,217

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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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University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada · Public University · Est. 1957

US #52 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $10,359/yr
Admission rate: 96%
Earnings (10yr): $55,037
Students: 24,622

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University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan · Public University · Est. 1817

US #53 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $13,138/yr
Admission rate: 16%
Earnings (10yr): $83,648
Students: 34,177

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University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah · Public University · Est. 1850

US #54 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $16,200/yr
Admission rate: 86%
Earnings (10yr): $67,170
Students: 27,264

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The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas · Public University · Est. 1883

US #57 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $19,857/yr
Admission rate: 27%
Earnings (10yr): $75,121
Students: 42,855

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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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Music & Performing Arts at other levels

Associate's Music & Performing Arts Bachelor's Music & Performing Arts Diploma Music & Performing Arts Master's Music & Performing Arts PhD Music & Performing Arts

Related subjects

Dance Music Performing Arts Theatre & Drama

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By university type

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Frequently asked questions

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

By our composite ranking, the top choices include Michigan State University, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, University of Miami. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study 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 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 professional Music & Performing Arts universities in the USA

This page lists 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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