Educads

13 Best Music & Performing Arts Professional Universities in the United States 2026

6 Music & Performing Arts professional programmes in the United States are ranked here for 2026. This is for applicants comparing where a professional degree in this field may fit their next step.

Ranked by our transparent composite score, with QS rankings, tuition fees and entry requirements.

13 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
1
MU Marywood University logo

Marywood University

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
Founded
3
PU Park University logo

Park University

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
Founded
5
TU Temple University logo

Temple University

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
Founded
6
BC Berklee College of Music logo

Berklee College of Music

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
Founded
8
CC Chabot College logo

Chabot College

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
Founded
9
SC Southwestern College (CA) logo

Southwestern College (CA)

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
Founded
10
WV West Valley College logo

West Valley College

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
Founded
12
CC Camden County College logo

Camden County College

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
Founded

Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities worldwide for Professional Music & Performing Arts?

Based on our composite ranking, the top choices include Marywood University, Claremont Graduate University, Park University. See the full ranked list above with QS positions, tuition fees and entry requirements.

How much does a Professional in Music & Performing Arts cost abroad?

Tuition varies by university and is indicative on each profile — public universities are generally the most affordable, while private and international branch campuses charge more. Scholarships can reduce costs significantly.

Can international students study Music & Performing Arts abroad?

Yes. Most programmes are taught in English and open to international students, who apply for a student visa through the immigration authority after accepting an offer.

How are these universities ranked?

We use a transparent composite score combining QS World/Asia positions, your destination country’s star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. See our ranking methodology for the exact weights.

Studying Music & Performing Arts at Professional level abroad

your destination country is a popular, affordable destination for Music & Performing Arts at Professional level, with provincially accredited programmes taught in English at both public and private universities, plus international branch campuses. The universities above are ordered by our composite ranking score, which combines QS World and QS Americas positions, your destination country’s star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — with no paid placement.

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A professional degree in Music & Performing Arts can lead to different study paths than a diploma, bachelor’s, or master’s programme, so the fit depends on the training you want and the career route you are targeting. This comparison is for applicants who need a focused decision between US institutions offering the subject at professional level.

All six institutions are public, so the main differences for choosing between them are likely to be location and how much practical information is published before you apply. Some are in large cities and some are in smaller places, and the fee information is only available where a university publishes it; any missing tuition or related costs should be confirmed directly with the university.

Before applying, verify the exact programme title, entry requirements, tuition and other fees, start date, and whether the programme matches your intended professional training. Confirm which campus the programme is on, how auditions or portfolio reviews work if they apply, and any visa or attendance rules that affect international applicants.