Excellent Music Colleges
For students with a passion for music seeking a professional career as a musician, engineer, educator, or businessperson, selecting an excellent music college is the key to success. The best schools provide students with access to industry professionals, cutting-edge facilities, and an inspiring atmosphere in which to thrive. While excellence is somewhat relative, schools with a high graduation rate, post-graduate job placement or internship programs and highly rated curriculum are undeniable leaders when considering the right university.
Other People Are Reading
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Popularity
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The Juilliard School of Music in New York is an extremely popular choice due to the number of famous musicians that have graduated from its ranks, including Yo Yo Ma, Tori Amos, Barry Manilow, and Miles Davis. Berklee School of Music in California is also a well-known college with professors who are also industry professionals and a broad range of degree programs covering theory to music business. If a career in marketing, law, or recording is desired, Full Sail University in Florida is highly renowned for its focused programs and high-tech facilities. They also offer entire degree programs online. Tuition in these schools averages about $25,000 per year as of 2011, with Juilliard being the most selective for admissions - an audition is required prior to acceptance.
Rankings
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Based on U.S.News Best Colleges of 2011 Rankings, Williams College in Massachusetts is the Number One choice for Liberal Arts majors, including music. Their curriculum is more traditional, focusing on theory, classical performance and instruments, however the school's small size and well-rounded program add the most value. U.S.News ranks schools based on a number of scored factors including graduation rate, high school counselor rating, quality of materials and facilities, class size and job placement. Other highly ranked schools with a focus on music or specific music degrees were Oberlin College in Ohio and Stanford University in California. Tuition at these schools averages $40,000 per year as of 2011,
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By Opinion
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U.S.News surveyed counsellors from the best high schools of 2010 which Liberal Arts colleges and universities they thought provide the best education. The schools they rated highest with a degree program in Music were Williams College, Amherst College, Barnard College, and Macalester College. Average tuition costs are $40,000 per year as of 2011. Based on which schools received the most alumni support and therefore could be considered the most loved, Amherst is still up there but is eclipsed by Carleton College, Princeton, and Middlebury College.
Value
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Most colleges with a focus on music are private or seminary schools which come with their pros and cons. Smaller class sizes and nicely designed campuses can benefit students seeking education in classical or applied areas of music, but come at the cost of higher tuition and competition. These schools offering a music degree have the highest level of education for the cost, as well as the highest percentage of awarded grants: Amherst College, Williams College, University of Richmond, Macalester College, Middlebury College, and Cornell University. Excellent music colleges offering online or associate programs such as Full Sail, Berklee, and IPR are also sound choices.
Considerations
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When choosing a music college to apply for, prospective students must be prepared to audition or endure the arduous application process of many elite music schools. The most excellent music colleges are also highly selective. For example, Juilliard accepts only 5 percent of those who apply, whereas Williams College admits 20 percent. Students must have a measure of talent prior to attending a great school.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit orchestra image by Pedro Luis from Fotolia.com
