Below are the key facts about the program, including rankings, popularity, diversity, and earnings. Find out how Northwestern University stacks up against peers offering music.
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Northwestern University is the top-ranked school in the United States for music. More specifically it was ranked #10 out of 423 schools by College Factual. It is also ranked #1 in Illinois.
During the most recent reporting year, Northwestern University conferred 99 bachelor’s degrees in music.
Music graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University earn a median of $38,768 a year. This is below $111,206, the median for all majors at Northwestern University.
While getting their bachelor’s degree at Northwestern University, music graduates take on a median debt of $18,166 in student loans. This is above $16,857, the typical median for all majors at Northwestern University.
Information about average full-time undergraduate tuition and fees is shown in the table below.
| In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $60,276 | $67,158 |
| Fees | $1,164 | $1,164 |
Read more about Northwestern University tuition and fees.
For the most recent academic year available, 52% of music bachelor’s degrees went to men and 48% went to women.
The majority of music bachelor’s degree graduates at Northwestern University are White. Roughly 47% of graduates fell into this category.
The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s in music.
| Ethnic Background | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Asian | 28 |
| Black or African American | 1 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 12 |
| White | 47 |
| Non-Resident Aliens | 1 |
| Other Races | 10 |
Among recent graduates, 56% of music master’s degrees went to men and 44% went to women.
The majority of music master’s degree graduates at Northwestern University are White. About 52% of graduates fell into this category.
The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from Northwestern University with a master’s in music.
| Ethnic Background | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Asian | 2 |
| Black or African American | 1 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3 |
| White | 28 |
| Non-Resident Aliens | 6 |
| Other Races | 14 |
For the most recent academic year available, 73% of music doctoral degrees went to men and 27% went to women.
The majority of music doctoral degree graduates at Northwestern University were White. Approximately 55% of graduates fell into this category.
The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from Northwestern University with a doctoral in music.
| Ethnic Background | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Asian | 0 |
| Black or African American | 0 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 0 |
| White | 6 |
| Non-Resident Aliens | 2 |
| Other Races | 3 |
Review the following statistics on the composition of the music majors at Northwestern University.
This music program at Northwestern University offers the following related majors:
| Concentration | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Music Performance, General | 52 |
| Stringed Instruments | 25 |
| Voice and Opera | 24 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 11 |
| Conducting | 6 |
| Musicology and Ethnomusicology | 4 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 3 |
| Jazz/Jazz Studies | 1 |
Northwestern University conferred 52 completions in music performance, general recently — 40% to women and 60% to men. The largest share of these graduates were White (60%).
Northwestern University awarded 25 degrees in stringed instruments in the latest year of data — 60% to women and 40% to men. Most of these graduates identified as Asian (24%).
Northwestern University granted 24 completions in voice and opera in the latest year of data — 58% to women and 42% to men. Most of these graduates identified as White (71%).
Northwestern University conferred 11 completions in keyboard instruments in the most recent reporting year — 45% to women and 55% to men. Most of these graduates identified as White (27%).
Northwestern University granted 6 degrees in conducting in the most recent reporting year — 0% to women and 100% to men. The largest share of these graduates were White (67%).
Northwestern University awarded 4 degrees in musicology and ethnomusicology in the latest year of data — 75% to women and 25% to men. The largest share of these graduates were White (75%).
Northwestern University granted 3 completions in music theory and composition in the latest year of data — 100% to women and 0% to men. The most common background among these graduates was Asian (33%).
Northwestern University granted 1 completion in jazz/jazz studies in the most recent reporting year — 0% to women and 100% to men.