When considering higher education, our country has much to offer prospective music students. In addition to the world-renown conservatories on the East coast and the highly disciplined degree programs available out West, the wide open spaces of middle America has much to offer aspiring student musicians.
If you’re sending out applications to a number of schools, don’t forget to include these private and public school institutions. All of them qualify for federal aid assistance, but many offer additional private scholarship opportunities. Check out these exceptional schools located throughout the middle region of America.
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. This not-for-profit College was founded in 1851 and its yearly tuition costs around $48,000. But, for that price tag, students are able to pursue a variety of music majors, earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in teacher education, music theory and composition, and musicology and ethnomusicology among others. Ranking as the best conducting, performance, and stringed instrument school in Illinois, earning your music degree from Northwestern will plant your feet firmly on your career path.
University of Illinois, Champaign, IL. One of the best music schools in the country, for $31,000 per year students can attend this large public college and pursue music studies that include Jazz Studies, Music History, Literature, and Theory, and Teacher Education along with performance and composition. Ranking as the Best Jazz Studies School and the Best Music Pedagogy School in Illinois, this learning hub houses the second largest university library in the U.S. after Harvard.
DePaul University, Chicago, IL. As a not-for-profit Catholic college, this school offers prospective students seven music programs for graduate and undergraduate study. Especially receptive to first-generation students (students whose parents and grandparents didn’t go to college) and those who have experienced a difficult background, DePaul was ranked in the U.S. News and World Report in the top 25 most innovative schools in the country. For $35,000 per year, this school easily ranks as one of the best music schools in the U.S.
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. This large, public learning institution offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in general music, teacher education, and music therapy. Holding the top spot in the best music schools in Kansas for Music Pedagogy, Therapy, and General Music. More affordable than some others, tuition at this school costs approximately $23,000.
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. At $29,000 for out-of-state enrollees, students can earn their general music, performance, or teacher education degree at this state-sponsored school, ranked in the top 50 in the U.S. among the best music schools. Also offering master’s degree studies in fine and studio arts management, this public university boasts almost 1000 acre campus that houses four National Historic Landmarks. It’s important to remember that in-state tuition is much less than out-of-state costs. To attend the University of Wisconsin in-state, the tuition is approximately $11,000 per year. So if financial concerns are a big factor in choosing your music school, it’s always better to look at your state options first.
McNally Smith College of Music, Saint Paul, MN. This small school offers students a variety of music programs for graduate and undergraduate studies. Choose from music management, technology, and string instrument concentrations, or choose history and literature, or theory and composition. By focusing solely on music applications, this school can develop your talents in a small community environment. Tuition is approximately $27,000 per year to attend.
University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN. This very large, public university offers students bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies in general music, teacher education, and music therapy. At approximately $20,000 per year, the out-of-state tuition here is lower than most, but in 2015, this school was ranked the Best Music Management & Merchandising School, best Music Pedagogy, Music Therapy, and General Music School in Minnesota.
Finding the right music school for your particular needs often means choosing from among the best music schools in the nation according to price, program options, and location. You can ensure that you make a terrific decision by taking your time and selecting a college that offers you the best foundation for your future career.
Share this article
