Jazz Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 85 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for jazz studies students pursuing a degree.
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The school you choose for jazz studies can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Jazz Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Jazz Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Earn the music business degree that fits into the business world – and partners Southern New Hampshire University with world-renowned Berklee College of Music.
Leading the list is University Of California Los Angeles, our #1 school for jazz studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $18,823 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,119 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in jazz studies, ranking #2. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 jazz studies degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $23,244 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from University Of Southern California
A rank of #3 makes Michigan State University one of the top schools for jazz studies. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 14 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Jazz Studies graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $40,570 early in their careers. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from Michigan State University
University Of North Texas is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in jazz studies, ranking #4. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. University Of North Texas awarded about 53 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their jazz studies degree from University Of North Texas earn around $36,763 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,456.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from University Of North Texas
Students looking for a strong jazz studies program will find one at University Of Miami, which ranked #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 23 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Students who receive their jazz studies degree from University Of Miami earn around $23,991 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $13,998 in student loans.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from University Of Miami
Temple University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best jazz studies schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Temple University awarded about 15 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Jazz Studies graduates of Temple University earn a median of $20,667 early in their careers. Temple University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
Get the full jazz studies details for Temple University
The New School placed #7 among the best jazz studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The New School graduates 70% of students within six years. The New School awarded about 51 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from The New School generally make around $15,510. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
Read more about the jazz studies program at The New School
University Of Rochester placed #8 among the best jazz studies schools. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 18 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $27,409. Typical student debt for the program is $26,769.
Read more about the jazz studies program at University Of Rochester
Cuny Queens College placed #9 among the best jazz studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Queens. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Queens College in the most recent data year. Jazz Studies graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $27,902 early in their careers. Cuny Queens College graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans.
Read more about the jazz studies program at Cuny Queens College
Suny At Purchase College earned the #10 position for jazz studies this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 jazz studies degrees were awarded at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $22,569 in their early career. Suny At Purchase College graduates carry a median of $22,179 in student loans.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from Suny At Purchase College
California Institute Of The Arts placed #11 among the best jazz studies schools. California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valencia. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 11 jazz studies students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Jazz Studies graduates of California Institute Of The Arts earn a median of $18,373 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from California Institute Of The Arts
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #12 among the best jazz studies schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 13 jazz studies degrees were awarded at University Of Nevada Las Vegas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $47,151. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
Get the full jazz studies details for University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Oberlin College landed the #13 spot for jazz studies this year. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. Oberlin College graduates 81% of students within six years. About 22 jazz studies degrees were awarded at Oberlin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $17,141. Oberlin College graduates carry a median of $26,200 in student loans.
See the full jazz studies program report for Oberlin College
The Juilliard School ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best jazz studies schools. Located in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 jazz studies degrees were awarded at The Juilliard School in the most recent year. Students who receive their jazz studies degree from The Juilliard School earn around $14,101 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from The Juilliard School
Manhattan School Of Music came in at #15 for jazz studies this year. Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 43 jazz studies degrees were awarded at Manhattan School Of Music in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, jazz studies degree recipients from Manhattan School Of Music generally make around $18,441. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the jazz studies program at Manhattan School Of Music
The New England Conservatory Of Music landed the #16 spot for jazz studies this year. The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 jazz studies degrees were awarded at The New England Conservatory Of Music in the most recent year. Graduates of the jazz studies program make about $24,499 in their early career. The New England Conservatory Of Music graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans.
See the full jazz studies program report for The New England Conservatory Of Music
University Of Arkansas At Monticello ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best jazz studies schools. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. University Of Arkansas At Monticello graduates 38% of students within six years. University Of Arkansas At Monticello awarded about 12 jazz studies degrees in the most recent data year. Jazz Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $41,278 early in their careers. University Of Arkansas At Monticello graduates carry a median of $15,611 in student loans.
More information about a degree in jazz studies from University Of Arkansas At Monticello
Jazz Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 85 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
