Top 10 Music Colleges to Study At
If you are passionate about music and want to pursue a career in this field, you may be wondering which music colleges are the best for you. There are many factors to consider when choosing a music college, such as the curriculum, the faculty, the facilities, the location, the cost, and the reputation. To help you narrow down your options, at The Mystic Keys here is a list of the top 10 music colleges in the world.
1. Juilliard School (New York, USA)
The Juilliard School is one of the most prestigious and renowned music colleges in the world. Founded in 1905, it offers programs in classical music, jazz, opera, dance, drama, and music technology. The Juilliard School has produced some of the most famous musicians and performers of all time, such as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Renée Fleming, Miles Davis, Robin Williams, and Viola Davis.
The admission rate is very competitive, with only about 8% of applicants accepted each year. The estimated budget for a first-time, first-year Juilliard student for the nine-month 2023-2024 academic year is USD 83,892.
2. Berklee College of Music (Boston, USA)
Berklee College of Music is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Founded in 1945, it offers programs in music performance, composition, production, engineering, business, therapy, education, and film scoring. Berklee College of Music has a diverse and innovative curriculum that covers various genres and styles of music, such as rock, pop, jazz, blues, hip hop, electronic, world, and classical. Some of the notable alumni include John Mayer, Quincy Jones, Diana Krall, Esperanza Spalding, and A.R. Rahman.
The admission rate is about 34%. The total cost of attendance for a diploma program is USD 69,388.94.
3. Royal College of Music (London, UK)
The Royal College of Music is one of the oldest and most respected music colleges in Europe. Founded in 1882 by Queen Victoria’s consort Prince Albert, it offers programs in classical music performance, composition, conducting, opera, historical performance practice, and musicology. The Royal College of Music has a rich history and tradition of excellence that has nurtured some of the greatest musicians and composers of all time, such as Benjamin Britten, Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, and James Galway.
The admission rate is about 20%. The Bachelor in Music Program fee is USD 33,177
4. Curtis Institute of Music (Philadelphia, USA)
The Curtis Institute of Music is one of the most selective and elite music colleges in the world. Founded in 1924 by Mary Louise Curtis Bok, it offers programs in classical music performance, composition, conducting, and opera. The Curtis Institute of Music has a unique feature that distinguishes it from other music colleges: it provides full-tuition scholarships to all its students, regardless of their financial situation. The Curtis Institute of Music has produced some of the most influential musicians and composers of the 20th and 21st centuries, such as Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber, Hilary Hahn, Lang Lang, and Jennifer Higdon.
The admission rate is about 4%. For the students who were admitted in Fall 2023, the estimated tuition for 4 years at Curtis Institute of Music is USD 32,809.
5. Conservatoire de Paris (Paris, France)
The Conservatoire de Paris is one of the oldest and most prestigious music colleges in Europe. Founded in 1795 during the French Revolution, it offers programs in classical music performance, composition, conducting, opera, jazz, and sound engineering. The Conservatoire de Paris has a long and illustrious history that has shaped the development of French music and culture. Some of the famous alumni include Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Gabriel Fauré, Georges Bizet, Edith Piaf, and Jean-Pierre Rampal.
The admission rate is about 15%. The Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in French (level not lower than B2) cost USD 2,852 and USD 3,908 per year. Studying in English at National Conservatory of Music and Dance of Paris (CNSMDP) is about twice as expensive.
6. Royal Academy of Music (London, UK)
The Royal Academy of Music is one of the oldest and most prestigious music colleges in Europe. Founded in 1822 by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington, it offers programs in classical music performance, composition, conducting, opera, jazz, musical theater, and research. The Royal Academy of Music has a distinguished reputation for excellence and innovation that has fostered some of the finest musicians and composers of all time, such as Sir Elton John, Sir Simon Rattle, Annie Lennox, Dame Felicity Lott, and Sir Harrison Birtwistle.
The admission rate is about 10%. The four-year Bachelor in Music Course would cost around USD 33,177.
7. Yale School of Music (New Haven, USA)
The Yale School of Music is one of the most prestigious and selective music colleges in the world. Founded in 1894 as a department within Yale University, it became an independent school in 1904. It offers programs in classical music performance, composition, conducting, opera, early music, chamber music, and new music. The Yale School of Music has a high standard of excellence and diversity that has produced some of the most prominent musicians and composers of all time, such as Charles Ives, Cole Porter, Elliott Carter, John Adams, David Lang, Augusta Read Thomas. The admission rate is about 9%.
The tuition fees for on-campus programs are USD 49,480 per year
8. University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (Vienna, Austria)
The University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna is one of the largest and most renowned music colleges in the world. Founded in 1817 as the Vienna Conservatory, it became a university in 1970. It offers programs in classical music performance, composition, conducting, opera, jazz, musical theater, dance, drama, and film. The University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna has a rich and diverse musical heritage that has influenced the development of Western music and culture. Some of the legendary alumni include Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, Gustav Mahler, Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, Alban Berg, and Herbert von Karajan. The admission rate is about 25%.
The Diploma Program in this college would cost around USD 6024.
9. Eastman School of Music (Rochester, USA)
The Eastman School of Music is one of the most prestigious and respected music colleges in the world. Founded in 1921 by George Eastman, the founder of Kodak, it offers programs in classical music performance, composition, conducting, opera, jazz, music education, music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology. The Eastman School of Music has a reputation for excellence and innovation that has shaped the musical landscape of the 20th and 21st centuries. Some of the notable alumni include Renée Fleming, Wynton Marsalis, Ron Carter, Steve Gadd, Charles Mingus, and Howard Hanson. The admission rate is about 13%.
The tuition fees for on-campus programs are USD 49,480 per year.
10. Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London, UK)
The Guildhall School of Music and Drama is one of the leading music colleges in the world. Founded in 1880 as a municipal music school, it became a conservatoire in 1935. It offers programs in classical music performance, composition, conducting, opera, jazz, musical theater, drama, production arts, and research. The Guildhall School of Music and Drama has a reputation for excellence and diversity that has nurtured some of the most successful musicians and actors of all time, such as Jacqueline du Pré, Sir James Galway, Sir Bryn Terfel, Daniel Craig, Ewan McGregor, Orlando Bloom, and Jodie Whittaker.
The tuition fees for on-campus programs range from USD 16,800 to USD 37,440 per year, depending on the course and the student’s status
Special Mention: Trinity College of Music (London, UK)
As a special mention, we would like to add this college to our list. This is one of the UK’s leading conservatoires of music and dance, offering a wide range of offline as well as online courses in music production, performance, business, songwriting, and more.
The exam fee for a diploma and grade exams comes below USD 100 to USD 1000 depending upon the level you are appearing for. The Mystic Keys offers music course certifications from Trinity College, London along with the preparations for its entrance exams from grade 1 to Grade 8.
Music is a universal language that can express emotions, tell stories, and connect people. Music is also a rewarding career that can bring joy, satisfaction, and recognition. If you are passionate about music and want to pursue a career in this field, you might be interested in studying at one of the top 10 music colleges in the world. These colleges offer online and on-campus courses in various fields of music, such as music production, performance, business, songwriting, and more. You can learn from some of the best musicians and educators in the industry, who have extensive experience and expertise in their fields. You can also access state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, such as recording studios, performance venues, digital labs, libraries, and practice rooms. Studying at one of these top 10 music colleges can be a life-changing experience that can open up many opportunities for you.
The Mystic Keys offers you various services and programs, such as online courses, private lessons, workshops, masterclasses, camps, concerts, and more. We can also provide you with access to qualified and experienced teachers, mentors, and peers who can guide, support, and inspire you along your musical journey. If you are interested in learning more about music education and how it can benefit you, please visit our website or contact us today. We would love to hear from you and help you discover the joy of music! 😊
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