Stringed Instruments 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools to find the best for stringed instruments students.
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The stringed instruments program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Stringed Instruments rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Stringed Instruments Schools list, to help you decide. 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.
Best Schools for Stringed Instruments in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the stringed instruments degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 school for stringed instruments. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 stringed instruments students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
See the full stringed instruments program report for Vanderbilt University
Northwestern University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best stringed instruments schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 stringed instruments students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Stringed Instruments graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $28,057 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $18,166 in student loans.
Read more about the stringed instruments program at Northwestern University
Yale University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in stringed instruments, ranking #3. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 stringed instruments students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the stringed instruments program make about $21,250 in their early career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
More information about a degree in stringed instruments from Yale University
Rice University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in stringed instruments, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 stringed instruments students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $30,454. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in stringed instruments from Rice University
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in stringed instruments, ranking #5. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 stringed instruments degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $23,244. Typical student debt for the program is $20,976.
See the full stringed instruments program report for University Of Southern California
Indiana University Bloomington placed #6 among the best stringed instruments schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 stringed instruments degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $28,328. Students borrow a median of $20,769 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in stringed instruments from Indiana University Bloomington
Carnegie Mellon University placed #7 among the best stringed instruments schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 13 stringed instruments degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $23,278. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $24,431 in student loans.
See the full stringed instruments program report for Carnegie Mellon University
Longy School Of Music Of Bard College landed the #8 spot for stringed instruments this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 12 stringed instruments degrees were awarded at Longy School Of Music Of Bard College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from Longy School Of Music Of Bard College generally make around $30,660.
More information about a degree in stringed instruments from Longy School Of Music Of Bard College
University Of Hartford ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best stringed instruments schools. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Hartford graduates 58% of students within six years. University Of Hartford awarded about 20 stringed instruments degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, stringed instruments degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $26,775. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full stringed instruments program report for University Of Hartford
The Juilliard School earned the #10 position for stringed instruments this year. Located in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 117 stringed instruments degrees were awarded at The Juilliard School in the most recent year. Graduates of the stringed instruments program make about $14,101 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in stringed instruments from The Juilliard School
San Francisco Conservatory Of Music came in at #11 for stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. San Francisco Conservatory Of Music awarded about 52 stringed instruments degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their stringed instruments degree from San Francisco Conservatory Of Music earn around $32,882 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in stringed instruments from San Francisco Conservatory Of Music
Manhattan School Of Music placed #12 among the best stringed instruments schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 stringed instruments students who graduated with this degree at Manhattan School Of Music in the most recent data year. Students who receive their stringed instruments degree from Manhattan School Of Music earn around $18,441 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the stringed instruments program at Manhattan School Of Music
The New England Conservatory Of Music placed #13 among the best stringed instruments schools. Located in the city of Boston, The New England Conservatory Of Music is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The New England Conservatory Of Music awarded about 72 stringed instruments degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their stringed instruments degree from The New England Conservatory Of Music earn around $24,499 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,991.
Get the full stringed instruments details for The New England Conservatory Of Music
Roosevelt University placed #14 among the best stringed instruments schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roosevelt University graduates 46% of students within six years. About 17 stringed instruments degrees were awarded at Roosevelt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the stringed instruments program make about $29,974 in their early career. Roosevelt University graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans.
See the full stringed instruments program report for Roosevelt University
Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music came in at #15 for stringed instruments this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music is a small public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 stringed instruments students who graduated with this degree at Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music in the most recent data year. Stringed Instruments graduates of Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music earn a median of $5,005 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the stringed instruments program at Puerto Rico Conservatory Of Music
This list is compiled 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 · 38 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).
