Woodwind Instruments programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best woodwind instruments schools.
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Choosing a Great Woodwind Instruments School
The school you choose for woodwind instruments can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Woodwind Instruments rankings. For our Best Overall Woodwind Instruments School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Woodwind Instruments 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.
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Best Schools for Woodwind 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 woodwind instruments degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Rice University this year for woodwind instruments. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. Rice University awarded about 13 woodwind instruments degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, woodwind instruments degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $30,454. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans.
Read more about the woodwind instruments program at Rice University
University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best woodwind instruments schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 13 woodwind instruments students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, woodwind instruments degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $23,244. Students borrow a median of $20,976 to complete this degree.
Get the full woodwind instruments details for University Of Southern California
Students looking for a strong woodwind instruments program will find one at University Of Hartford, which ranked #3. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Hartford awarded about 10 woodwind instruments degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, woodwind instruments degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $26,775. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full woodwind instruments program report for University Of Hartford
A rank of #4 makes The Juilliard School one of the top schools for woodwind instruments. Set in the city of New York, The Juilliard School is a small private not-for-profit institution. The Juilliard School graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 woodwind instruments students who graduated with this degree at The Juilliard School in the most recent data year. Students who receive their woodwind instruments degree from The Juilliard School earn around $14,101 in the first couple years of their career. The Juilliard School graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Read more about the woodwind instruments program at The Juilliard School
Manhattan School Of Music is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in woodwind instruments, landing the #5 spot this year. Manhattan School Of Music is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 woodwind instruments students who graduated with this degree at Manhattan School Of Music in the most recent data year. Graduates of the woodwind instruments program make about $18,441 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the woodwind instruments program at Manhattan School Of Music
The New England Conservatory Of Music landed the #6 spot for woodwind instruments this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 31 woodwind instruments students who graduated with this degree at The New England Conservatory Of Music in the most recent data year. Woodwind Instruments graduates of The New England Conservatory Of Music earn a median of $24,499 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,991 to complete this degree.
See the full woodwind instruments program report for The New England Conservatory Of Music
Woodwind Instruments 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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 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).
