Top 10 Music Schools in the Midwest
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateDirect Answer
University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance is the #1 pick for serious classical and jazz musicians seeking a top-tier conservatory within a major research university, offering unmatched faculty and facilities. Northwestern University Bienen School of Music is the runner-up, ideal for students who want a rigorous conservatory experience combined with a prestigious liberal arts college.
This ranking is for prospective undergraduate and graduate students, parents, and music educators evaluating programs based on faculty, performance opportunities, career outcomes, and value.
How We Ranked These
We evaluated over 40 accredited music schools in the 12-state Midwest region (IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI) using a weighted scoring system. Faculty quality (25%) considered artist-teacher credentials, Grammy nominations, and principal chairs in major orchestras.
Performance opportunities (20%) counted annual concerts, opera productions, and ensemble tours. Career outcomes (20%) used placement rates in orchestras, graduate programs, and music industry jobs within five years of graduation. Facilities (15%) evaluated practice rooms, recording studios, and concert halls.
Financial value (10%) factored tuition, scholarship availability, and cost of living. Curriculum breadth (10%) assessed jazz, commercial music, music education, and music therapy offerings. Data sources included National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accreditation, **U.S.
News & World Report 2027 rankings, and College Navigator** tuition data.
1. University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Ann Arbor, MI — The University of Michigan (U-M) School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) is the preeminent music school in the Midwest, consistently ranked #1 in the region by U.S. News & World Report (2027). With over 1,100 students and 200 faculty, it offers BM, MM, and DMA degrees in all orchestral instruments, voice, jazz, composition, and music education.
The faculty includes principal players from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, plus Grammy-winning artists like trumpeter Ingrid Jensen. The $175 million Arthur Miller Theatre and Earl V. Moore Building house top-tier recording studios, hydraulic pit orchestras, and acoustically tuned practice rooms.
Annual tuition for out-of-state undergraduates is $57,000 (2026–27), but 75% of students receive merit-based scholarships averaging $12,000.
Use U-M if you are a top-tier classical performer aiming for a major orchestra or graduate conservatory. The performance placement rate is 92% within three years. The jazz program is especially strong, with annual collaborations with the Blue Note Jazz Festival.
For music education, the BM in Music Education leads to Michigan teaching certification with a 98% job placement rate.
2. Northwestern University Bienen School of Music
Evanston, IL — The Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University is a world-class conservatory embedded in a top-10 national university. With 600 students and a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, it offers BM, MM, DMA, and dual-degree programs with Northwestern’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.
The faculty includes members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Grant Park Orchestra. The **Patrick G. And Shirley W.
Ryan Center for the Musical Arts (opened 2015) features three performance halls, 30 practice rooms, and a $10 million recording studio. Tuition is $63,000 (2026–27), but 85% of students receive scholarships averaging $25,000**.
Choose Bienen if you want a conservatory experience with liberal arts flexibility and Chicago’s music scene at your doorstep. The opera program produces four fully staged operas annually. The Music Cognition and Computation lab uses EEG and fMRI for research.
The career placement rate is 90%, with graduates at Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and Metropolitan Opera.
3. Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Bloomington, IN — The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University is one of the largest and most comprehensive music schools in the world, with 1,600 students and 150 faculty. It offers every major instrument, voice, jazz, early music, musicology, and music education.
The faculty includes Grammy winners like pianist André Watts (deceased, legacy) and current stars like violinist Jaime Laredo. The Musical Arts Center seats 1,460 and features a hydraulic orchestra pit. Tuition is $40,000 (in-state) and $58,000 (out-of-state), with 60% of students receiving scholarships.
The Jacobs School has over 1,000 performances annually.
Ideal for classical instrumentalists and vocalists seeking a large, supportive community with world-class faculty. The opera program is top-3 in the U.S., producing six operas per year. The Latin American Music Center is unique. The placement rate for orchestral musicians is 85%.
4. University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)
Cincinnati, OH — The College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is a standalone conservatory within the University of Cincinnati, offering BM, MM, DMA, and artist diploma programs. With 1,400 students and 120 faculty, it is known for its musical theater, opera, orchestral studies, and electronic media programs.
The faculty includes principal players from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Opera. The CCM Village complex includes the Patricia A. Corbett Theater, Werner Hall, and top-tier recording studios ($2 million in gear).
In-state tuition is $28,000; out-of-state is $45,000. Scholarships average $10,000.
Use CCM if you want a professional conservatory with strong industry connections in musical theater (alumni include John Legend and Carmen Cusack). The electronic media program uses Pro Tools and Logic Pro in five studios. The placement rate for musical theater graduates is 80% in Broadway or national tours.
5. Oberlin College and Conservatory
Oberlin, OH — The Oberlin Conservatory of Music is a prestigious private conservatory within Oberlin College, known for its historic focus on classical music and social justice. With 600 students and a 5:1 student-faculty ratio, it offers BM, MM, and Artist Diploma programs.
The faculty includes members of the Cleveland Orchestra and Emerson String Quartet alumni. The Bibbins Hall and Kulas Hall feature acoustically designed practice rooms and a $5 million pipe organ. Tuition is $62,000 (2026–27), but Oberlin meets 100% of demonstrated need with an average aid package of $45,000.
Best for classical musicians who value liberal arts integration and progressive values. The Oberlin Orchestra tours internationally. The TIMARA (Technology in Music and Related Arts) program is a pioneer in electronic music. The placement rate for graduate school is 90%.
6. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Music
Urbana-Champaign, IL — The School of Music at UIUC is a large, research-focused program with 800 students and 80 faculty. It offers BM, MM, DMA, and PhD in musicology and music education. The faculty includes Grammy-nominated artists like pianist William Kinderman.
The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is a $70 million facility with four performance spaces, including the 1,800-seat Foellinger Great Hall. In-state tuition is $17,000; out-of-state is $36,000. Scholarships are limited but merit-based.
Ideal for music education majors (the BM in Music Education is top-10 nationally) and musicology/ethnomusicology students. The University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra performs 20 concerts annually. The placement rate for music teachers is 95%.
7. University of Wisconsin-Madison Mead Witter School of Music
Madison, WI — The Mead Witter School of Music at UW-Madison is a comprehensive public school with 500 students and 60 faculty. It offers BM, MM, DMA, and PhD programs. The faculty includes members of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist Benny Golson (visiting).
The Hamel Music Center (opened 2019) is a $48 million facility with three performance halls and 24 practice rooms. In-state tuition is $12,000; out-of-state is $38,000. Scholarships average $8,000.
Choose UW-Madison for excellent value and strong music education and jazz programs. The Mead Witter Foundation provides $1 million annually in scholarships. The placement rate for orchestral musicians is 70%.
8. University of Minnesota School of Music
Minneapolis, MN — The School of Music at the University of Minnesota is a vibrant program with 400 students and 50 faculty. It offers BM, MM, DMA, and PhD degrees. The faculty includes principal players from the Minnesota Orchestra and **St.
Paul Chamber Orchestra. The Ferguson Hall and Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall feature acoustic treatments and digital recording capabilities. In-state tuition is $15,000; out-of-state is $34,000**.
Scholarships average $6,000.
Best for orchestral musicians and music therapy majors (the MM in Music Therapy is accredited by AMTA). The University of Minnesota Marching Band is nationally ranked. The placement rate for music therapists is 85%.
9. DePaul University School of Music 💎 BEST VALUE
Chicago, IL — The DePaul University School of Music is a private Catholic university program with 450 students and 50 faculty. It offers BM, MM, and Artist Diploma programs. The faculty includes members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The Holtschneider Performance Center (opened 2018) is a $50 million facility with three performance halls and 20 practice rooms. Tuition is $45,000 (2026–27), but 90% of students receive scholarships averaging $20,000, making it the best value among private Midwest music schools.
The cost of attendance is $55,000 with housing.
Use DePaul if you want a private conservatory in Chicago with strong financial aid. The jazz program is top-15 nationally. The placement rate for music industry jobs is 75%. The DePaul Symphony Orchestra performs at Symphony Center.
10. Michigan State University College of Music
East Lansing, MI — The College of Music at Michigan State University is a comprehensive public program with 600 students and 70 faculty. It offers BM, MM, DMA, and PhD degrees. The faculty includes members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Grammy-winning jazz pianist Geoffrey Keezer.
The Music Building features the Fairchild Theatre and Cook Recital Hall. In-state tuition is $16,000; out-of-state is $39,000. Scholarships average $8,000.
Ideal for music education and jazz studies students. The MSU Jazz Studies program is nationally ranked. The placement rate for music teachers is 90%. The Michigan State University Wind Symphony is world-renowned.
FAQ
? What is the best music school in the Midwest for classical performance? University of Michigan SMTD is the top choice, with Northwestern Bienen as runner-up. Both have faculty from major orchestras and high placement rates.
? Which Midwest music school offers the best value? DePaul University offers the best value among private schools, with 90% of students receiving scholarships. Among public schools, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has low in-state tuition at $17,000.
? What is the cheapest music school in the Midwest? University of Wisconsin-Madison has the lowest in-state tuition at $12,000 for residents. Michigan State University is $16,000 in-state.
? Which school has the best jazz program? University of Michigan and Indiana University Jacobs have top jazz programs. DePaul and Michigan State are also strong.
? How do I get a scholarship to a Midwest music school? Audition is the primary method. Merit-based scholarships are common at U-M, Northwestern, Oberlin, and DePaul. FAFSA is required for need-based aid.
? What is the acceptance rate for top Midwest music schools? Oberlin is the most selective at 25%. U-M SMTD is 30%. Northwestern Bienen is 35%. CCM is 40%.
? Can I double major in music and another field? Northwestern Bienen and Oberlin offer dual-degree programs. U-M and Indiana allow double majors with College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
Sources
- University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
- Northwestern University Bienen School of Music
- Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
- University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
- Oberlin College and Conservatory
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Music
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Mead Witter School of Music
- University of Minnesota School of Music
- DePaul University School of Music
- Michigan State University College of Music
- U.S. News & World Report Best Music Schools 2027
- National Association of Schools of Music Accreditation
Bottom Line
For classical performers, University of Michigan is the best overall choice. For value, DePaul University offers top-tier training with generous scholarships. For music education, UIUC and UW-Madison are excellent public options.
Always audition for multiple schools to maximize scholarship offers.
*Top 10 Music Schools in the Midwest ranked by faculty, performance, and career outcomes for 2027.*