77 Best Public PhD Music & Performing Arts Universities in the USA

Compare 179 programs at 77 universities in the USA — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 179 Universities 77 Scholarships 0

77 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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University of California-Irvine

Irvine, California · Public University · Est. 1965

US #4 QS World #189 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,251/yr
Admission rate: 29%
Earnings (10yr): $80,735
Students: 30,197

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University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California · Public University · Est. 1891

US #5 QS World #200 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $16,109/yr
Admission rate: 33%
Earnings (10yr): $74,915
Students: 23,113

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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 California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California · Public University · Est. 1965

US #12 QS World #380 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $17,890/yr
Admission rate: 66%
Earnings (10yr): $68,396
Students: 17,940

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University of California-Riverside

Riverside, California · Public University · Est. 1954

US #13 QS World #400 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $14,304/yr
Admission rate: 76%
Earnings (10yr): $67,699
Students: 22,593

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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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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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Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida · Public University · Est. 1851

US #23 QS World #561 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $11,297/yr
Admission rate: 24%
Earnings (10yr): $61,675
Students: 32,212

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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 Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii · Public University · Est. 1907

US #26 QS World #601 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $15,664/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $57,624
Students: 15,029

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University of South Florida

Tampa, Florida · Public University · Est. 1956

US #27 QS World #601 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $9,812/yr
Admission rate: 43%
Earnings (10yr): $57,743
Students: 37,207

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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 Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska · Public University · Est. 1869

US #33 QS World #651 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $17,747/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $56,887
Students: 19,178

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University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Norman, Oklahoma · Public University · Est. 1890

US #34 QS World #701 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $15,300/yr
Admission rate: 77%
Earnings (10yr): $63,126
Students: 22,734

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University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota · Public University · Est. 1851

US #37 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $16,778/yr
Admission rate: 80%
Earnings (10yr): $69,020
Students: 31,855

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University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, Washington · Public University · Est. 1861

US #38 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,091/yr
Admission rate: 39%
Earnings (10yr): $78,466
Students: 31,942

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University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona · Public University · Est. 1885

US #39 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $16,674/yr
Admission rate: 86%
Earnings (10yr): $59,979
Students: 42,537

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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1855

US #40 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $32,875/yr
Admission rate: 61%
Earnings (10yr): $63,435
Students: 42,284

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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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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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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 Professional Music & Performing Arts

By university type

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Bachelor's Universities Master's Universities Professional Universities Diploma Universities PhD Universities Associate's Universities Universities in New York Universities in California Universities in Pennsylvania Universities in Texas

Frequently asked questions

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

By our composite ranking, the top choices include Michigan State University, University of California-Irvine, University of California-Santa Barbara. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

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

This page lists public PhD 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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