Quick answer: The Midwest is home to some of the strongest music schools in the country. Indiana University’s Jacobs School is one of the largest and most comprehensive music programs anywhere; the University of Michigan and Northwestern’s Bienen School pair conservatory-level training with elite universities; and Oberlin Conservatory and the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) are destination programs for classical, voice, and musical theatre. Add DePaul, Lawrence, and Michigan State, and the region offers a fit for nearly every musician. As always, the right school depends on your instrument, genre, goals, and audition — here’s how to sort them.
The top programs, and who each fits
Indiana University — Jacobs School of Music (Bloomington)
One of the largest and most comprehensive music schools in the world, with world-class faculty, an enormous range of ensembles, and famous opera and ballet productions.
Best fit for: classical performers, singers, and composers who want conservatory depth with vast performance opportunity inside a major university.
University of Michigan — School of Music, Theatre & Dance (Ann Arbor)
A powerhouse, multidisciplinary program strong across performance, composition, music education, and musical theatre.
Best fit for: high-level musicians who want top-tier training plus a flagship university and broad academic options.
Northwestern University — Bienen School of Music (Evanston, IL)
Conservatory-caliber training inside an elite university, minutes from Chicago’s professional music scene; especially respected for music education and academic rigor.
Best fit for: serious musicians who also want a top academic university and Chicago access.
Oberlin Conservatory of Music (Ohio)
A legendary standalone conservatory with a unique double-degree program letting students earn both a conservatory degree and a liberal-arts degree.
Best fit for: classical musicians who want conservatory intensity and a strong academic education — especially double-degree seekers.
University of Cincinnati — College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)
A destination program, particularly renowned for voice, opera, and musical theatre, plus strong instrumental and composition offerings.
Best fit for: singers, musical-theatre performers, and instrumentalists seeking a conservatory environment with a professional performance culture.
Also worth a serious look
- DePaul University (Chicago): strong jazz and contemporary programs with deep industry access.
- Lawrence University (WI): a respected conservatory within a liberal-arts college, great for double degrees.
- Michigan State & DePauw: strong programs with meaningful merit-scholarship potential.
How to choose among them
- Conservatory feel or big university? Oberlin and Lawrence are conservatory-in-a-college; Indiana, Michigan, and Northwestern are conservatory-level within large universities.
- What’s your focus? Voice/opera/musical theatre → CCM, Michigan, Indiana; classical performance → Indiana, Oberlin, Northwestern; jazz/contemporary → DePaul.
- Do you want a double degree? Oberlin and Lawrence are built for it.
Rankings can’t tell you where you’ll thrive or get in. A best-fit list balances reach, target, and likely programs against your actual playing.
Want an expert’s read on your Midwest list?
Dr. Fish can evaluate how your audition matches these programs and build a balanced, best-fit list. Book a free intro chat.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best music school in the Midwest?
It depends on your goals. Indiana University’s Jacobs School is among the largest and most comprehensive, the University of Michigan and Northwestern pair elite training with top universities, and Oberlin and CCM are destination conservatory programs.
Which Midwest school is best for opera or musical theatre?
The University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is especially renowned for voice, opera, and musical theatre, with the University of Michigan and Indiana also very strong.
Which Midwest schools are best for a double degree in music?
Oberlin Conservatory and Lawrence University are known for double-degree programs that combine conservatory training with a liberal-arts degree.
Which Midwest school is best for jazz?
DePaul University in Chicago has strong jazz and contemporary programs with excellent industry access, and Indiana and Michigan also offer respected jazz studies.
Written by Dr. David Lee Fish, Ph.D. — professional musician, former music department chair, and the recurring cover-story author on the best music schools for In Tune Monthly. Book a free intro chat.