With music ranking as the country’s #40 most popular degree program, it has above-average popularity. So, when looking for a school, you have a good selection of possibilities.
We evaluated 10 Pennsylvania universities considered top music majors for 2025. These institutions awarded 945 music degrees to deserving students.
However, your decision regarding a music school is essential. Thus, we have created these rankings to guide you.
So sit tight and read!
Are there Music Schools in Pennsylvania?
Many schools offer music as a course in the State of Pennsylvania, and they include:
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Temple University
- Curtis Institute of Music
- University of Pennsylvania
- Duquesne University
- Bucknell University
- The University of the Arts
- Lafayette College
- Dickinson College
- Messiah University
- West Chester University of Pennsylvania
- Moravian College
- Lebanon Valley College
- Millersville University of Pennsylvania
- Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Check Out; Best Music Schools in California
How Long Does it Take to Get a Degree in Music in Pennsylvania?
Bachelor’s degrees in music are generally earned after four years of full-time study. Many colleges require first-year freshmen to live on campus in dorms, which may be more or less expensive than other housing alternatives or means of transportation.
This field includes specializations in performance, composition, history, theory, jazz studies, music production, church music, and music technology. Most of the curriculum is dedicated to music performance, history, and theory.
A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree takes four years or more to complete and typically includes specializations in dance and musical theater. Several institutions offer a BFA in performing music, but BM degrees are typically preferred.
Also, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree typically takes four years to complete and includes fundamental liberal arts subjects such as math, physics, literature, and history.
International students with this degree can also pursue music management and business specializations. A BA degree differs from a BM/BFA degree in that no audition, sophomore review, or recital is required to continue the program.
The emphasis of BM/BFA degree programs is primarily on musical theory, with ensemble participation required. A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is also available for students who want to major in music and another subject not offered by the music department. The Bachelor of Music Education (BME) degree combines music and education classes for those who want to teach music in elementary through high school.
Check Out; Best Music Schools in Ohio
How Much Do Music Schools in Pennsylvania Cost?
On average, students pay as much as $50,665 to attend a music school.
This tuition covers all the school costs, including board, feeding, and other necessities.
Pennsylvania offers music scholarships to students of all majors participating in music ensembles. Music majors, on the other hand, are given preference. Some scholarships are renewable for several years.
All applicants are given equal consideration for available scholarships. Students with greater needs in an instrumental or vocal area may be given higher priority in the selection process. Students must meet the following requirements to be considered for music scholarships:
- Apply for university admission by February 15.
- Faculty audition for music
Check another best place to study; Best Music Universities in Georgia
What are the Requirements of Music Schools in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania college students can pursue a music associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. There are additional minors for degree programs and graduate certificates for specialized work.
While some programs are designed to prepare graduates for careers in teaching and performance, others are designed to provide students with the opportunity to study music alongside other subjects.
In addition, students can specialize in music theory, music therapy, music business, or commercial music. Music majors can gain practical skills by participating in recording studios, music labs, and performance ensembles. This article discusses the top ten music colleges and universities in Pennsylvania.
The requirements of music schools in Pennsylvania include the following:
- Audition
- Pre-screening recording
- Resume
- College essay
- Recommendation letters
- Interview
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What are the Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania?
You can examine the list below to see which institutions provide the educational experience for the music degree levels they offer, though we advise filtering by degree level first.
1. Curtis Institute of Music
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based Curtis Institute of Music is a private, non-profit university. More than 12 bachelor’s degree applicants are now enrolled at this institution.
The acceptance rate of 3% makes the admission criteria relatively competitive.
Exceptionally talented young musicians are educated and trained at the Curtis Institute of Music to engage a local and worldwide community via the highest level of creativity.
Also Read: Best Music Schools in Colorado
2. Lafayette College
The visual and performing arts program at Lafayette College offers music as one of its majors.
Furthermore, students interested in a music degree should consider attending Lafayette College. In the Easton suburb, there is a tiny private non-profit college called Lafayette.
Consequently, according to Best Schools, Lafayette is a fantastic university, coming in at #49 out of 2,576 college campuses in the country.
In the most recent year for which we have data, Lafayette graduated about 4 music students with this degree.
Check Also: Best Music Schools in Indiana
3. Dickinson College
The visual and performing arts department at Dickinson College offers a music major.
Any student interested in a music degree has to research Dickinson College.
Dickinson University is a private, non-profit college with a small student body in the tiny city of Carlisle.
Also, Dickinson is a top-notch university overall, coming up at #77 out of 2,576 institutions countrywide in the Best Schools ranking.
In the most recent data year, Dickinson awarded this degree to around 5 music students.
4. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania’s visual and performing arts school offers music as one of its majors.
If you want to study music, it’s difficult to beat the University of Pennsylvania. Private, non-profit, and housed in the sizable city of Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania has a sizable student body.
Also, UPenn is a fantastic university, earning a Best Schools ranking of #13 out of 2,576 colleges nationally.
The most recent data year shows that 14 or so UPenn music students received this degree.
5. Messiah University
Messiah University’s visual and performing arts curriculum includes a music major.
Messiah University is tough to beat if you want to pursue a degree in music. In the Mechanicsburg neighborhood, there is a small, private, non-profit institution called Messiah.
However, in terms of overall quality, this university is ranked 37th out of 134 universities in Pennsylvania.
In the most recent year for which we have data, Messiah graduated about 55 music students with this degree.
Read on- Best Music Schools in Georgia
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University’s visual and performing arts department includes a music major.
The private, non-profit Carnegie Mellon University, situated in Pittsburgh, has a sizable student body.
Consequently, out of 2,576 institutions nationally, Carnegie Mellon is ranked #20 by Best Schools, making it a top university overall.
In the most recent year, Carnegie Mellon awarded this degree to roughly 79 music students.
The admission criteria are somewhat competitive, with an acceptance rate of 22%.
7. West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s visual and performing arts curriculum includes a music major.
A sizable public university called WCUPA is situated in the West Chester neighborhood.
Furthermore, WCUPA is a great institution, earning a Best Schools ranking of #294 out of 2,576 universities nationwide.
In the most recent data year, WCUPA awarded this degree to 92 music students.
Also, West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s music degree holders makes about $10,842 more than the average music major.
The admission criteria are somewhat competitive, with an acceptance rate of 68%.
8. Moravian College
The Moravian College visual and performing arts program includes a music major.
Moravian is a private, non-profit university with a small student body in Bethlehem.
Best Schools says Moravian is a fantastic university, coming in at #377 out of 2,576 colleges nationwide.
In the most recent year, we have data that around 11 Moravian music students received this degree.
9. Lebanon Valley College
Lebanon Valley College’s visual and performing arts curriculum includes a music major.
LVC is a private, non-profit university with a modest enrollment situated in the small community of Annville.
Also, LVC is a fantastic university, earning a Best Schools ranking of #261 out of 2,576 colleges nationwide.
In the most recent year for which we have data, about 27 music students at LVC received this degree.
In addition, unlike other music majors, Lebanon Valley College graduates with music degrees earn an extra $5,042 on average.
The admission criteria are somewhat competitive, with an acceptance rate of 72%.
10. Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville University of Pennsylvania’s visual and performing arts curriculum includes a music major.
Public University Millersville, with a sizable student body, is situated in the Millersville neighborhood. In Pennsylvania, this university is ranked 45th overall out of 134 institutions.
The most current data indicates that 38 Millersville music students received degrees in that field.
Also, students majoring in music at the Millersville University of Pennsylvania make $3,142 more than the average music graduate.
11. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
The Slippery Rock University visual and performing arts curriculum includes a Music major.
The little public university SRU is situated in the far-off town of Slippery Rock. SRU is a fantastic university, with a Best Schools ranking of #409 out of 2,576 institutions nationwide.
However, the most recent year for which data are available at SRU indicates that roughly 23 music students received degrees in that field.
Also read- Best Music Schools in Wisconsin
What are the Music Schools in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
Lancaster is one of the popular cities in Pennsylvania. It is also home to some of the music schools found in the State.
They include:
- Penn Square Music Conservatory
- Flute Lessons and Music by Jocelyn Crosby
- Menchey Music Service, Inc.
What are the Music High Schools in Pennsylvania?
Music high schools are for kids who are in high school and are not yet ready for tertiary education.
The music high schools found in Pennsylvania include:
- Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts.
- High School For Creative & Performing Arts
- Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush High School
- Girard Academic Music Program
What are the Music Therapy Schools in Pennsylvania?
Music therapy schools are music schools that help the troubled through learning music and instruments. Some of them can be found in Pennsylvania, and they include:
- Mary Pappert School of Music
- Ambler Music Academy
- WB Music Therapy, LLC d.b.a. Music Fusion
- Penn State School of Music
What are the Music Education Schools in Pennsylvania?
Music education schools aid in producing music teachers who end up teaching music in schools. Some of them in Pennsylvania include:
- Temple University
- Duquesne University
- Bucknell University
- Messiah University
Conclusion
The goal of music is to foster an appreciation of its aesthetic beauty. The ultimate goal of all music education in schools may be thought of as music appreciation.
If you aspire to any music school in Pennsylvania, this article will guide you to make the right choice.
Don’t fail to read- Best Music Schools in Kentucky
References
- collegefactual.com– Best Music Schools in Pennsylvania
- niche.com– Best Colleges for Music in Pennsylvania
