2024 Best Colleges for Music in California

We rigorously analyzed earnings after graduation, student loan debt, and a host of other variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Music programs in California. We looked at 72 programs to put our Music rankings together to help you find the absolute best schools for Music in California. ... Read More

If you’re still wondering whether Music is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Music: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Music in California. Earnings are by no means the most important mark of success for a Music undergraduate program, but it is a variable that is widely used across universities and colleges in California. In addition to salary, we also provide average student loans metric and other admissions data points.

In addition, if you scroll all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Music degree in California.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Music Majors in California

What is the best university for majoring in Music in California?

Biola University is the best university for majoring in Music based on earnings data. On average, graduates from Biola University earned an average of $39,369 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Music in California?

World Mission University is the cheapest university for majoring in Music based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $5,380 to attend World Mission University.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Music in California?

University of Southern California (USC) is the most expensive university for majoring in Music based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $50,277 to attend University of Southern California (USC).

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#16 Best College for Music
Average Salary $25,194
Average Debt $23,000
Program Size 67
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
4 Year
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Conservatory of Music, located in San Francisco, CA has 67 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $25,194.
Acceptance Rate 47%
Undergraduates 108 students
Tuition $42,210
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#17 Best College for Music
Average Salary $25,194
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 37
Humboldt State University
4 Year
Arcata, CA
Humboldt State University, located in Arcata, CA has 37 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $25,194.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 2,017 students
Tuition $7,195
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#18 Best College for Music
Average Salary $24,615
Average Debt $25,143
Program Size 62
California Institute of the Arts
4 Year
Valencia, CA
California Institute of the Arts, located in Valencia, CA has 62 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $24,615.
Acceptance Rate 25%
Undergraduates 386 students
Tuition $43,986
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#19 Best College for Music
Average Salary $24,421
Average Debt $19,110
Program Size 117
California State University-Chico
4 Year
Chico, CA
California State University-Chico, located in Chico, CA has 117 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $24,421.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 4,093 students
Tuition $7,022
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#20 Best College for Music
Average Salary $24,421
Average Debt $26,000
Program Size 50
Chapman University (CU)
4 Year
Orange, CA
Video Rating
Chapman University (CU), located in Orange, CA has 50 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $24,421.
Acceptance Rate 48%
Undergraduates 2,243 students
Tuition $47,260
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#21 Best College for Music
Average Salary $24,369
Average Debt $14,790
Program Size 74
UC Berkeley
4 Year
Berkeley, CA
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UC Berkeley , located in Berkeley, CA has 74 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $24,369.
Acceptance Rate 17%
Undergraduates 11,486 students
Tuition $13,431
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#22 Best College for Music
Average Salary $24,369
Average Debt $14,790
Program Size 74
University of California-Berkeley
4 Year
Berkeley, CA
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University of California-Berkeley, located in Berkeley, CA has 74 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $24,369.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 11,486 students
Tuition N/A
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#23 Best College for Music
Average Salary $23,649
Average Debt $19,266
Program Size 148
UCLA
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
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UCLA, located in Los Angeles, CA has 148 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $23,649.
Acceptance Rate 17%
Undergraduates 13,156 students
Tuition $12,763
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#24 Best College for Music
Average Salary $23,649
Average Debt $19,266
Program Size 148
University of California-Los Angeles
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
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University of California-Los Angeles, located in Los Angeles, CA has 148 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $23,649.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 13,156 students
Tuition N/A
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#25 Best College for Music
Average Salary $22,824
Average Debt $16,500
Program Size 61
San Francisco State University
4 Year
San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco State University, located in San Francisco, CA has 61 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $22,824.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 7,146 students
Tuition $6,476
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#26 Best College for Music
Average Salary $22,667
Average Debt $20,000
Program Size 34
California Lutheran University (CLU)
4 Year
Thousand Oaks, CA
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California Lutheran University (CLU), located in Thousand Oaks, CA has 34 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $22,667.
Acceptance Rate 62%
Undergraduates 1,282 students
Tuition $38,430
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#27 Best College for Music
Average Salary $22,648
Average Debt $16,969
Program Size 217
California State University-Northridge
4 Year
Northridge, CA
California State University-Northridge, located in Northridge, CA has 217 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $22,648.
Acceptance Rate 46%
Undergraduates 10,247 students
Tuition $6,569
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#28 Best College for Music
Average Salary $21,508
Average Debt $24,064
Program Size 134
California State University-Fullerton (CSUF)
4 Year
Fullerton, CA
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California State University-Fullerton (CSUF), located in Fullerton, CA has 134 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $21,508.
Acceptance Rate 42%
Undergraduates 10,530 students
Tuition $6,437
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#29 Best College for Music
Average Salary $21,508
Average Debt $26,500
Program Size 31
University of the Pacific (UOP)
4 Year
Stockton, CA
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University of the Pacific (UOP), located in Stockton, CA has 31 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $21,508.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 1,771 students
Tuition $42,934
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#30 Best College for Music
Average Salary $21,234
Average Debt $18,616
Program Size 115
California State University-Sacramento
4 Year
Sacramento, CA
California State University-Sacramento, located in Sacramento, CA has 115 students majoring in Music. On average, graduates earn $21,234.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 7,636 students
Tuition $6,872
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Other Major Rankings
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