California’s four-year college scene thrives with 30+ public giants and 80 diverse private institutions, offering paths for every aspiring scholar. Of those, close to 80 offer music degrees in various forms. A handful of those enjoy a reputation as top music schools in California, as profiled in a separate post on our website. That does not mean only those institutions offer a valuable education; far from it. There are more top California music schools to consider.
Beyond big names like UCLA and USC, the exceptional music programs at the schools found in this article deserve serious consideration among California’s top music schools. With accomplished faculty, cutting-edge facilities, diverse performance opportunities, and access to entertainment networks, these schools provide exceptional training, often at a more affordable tuition, to produce distinguished graduates across music disciplines. We profile ten of them here.
You owe it to yourself to consider the entire landscape of premier musical offerings in California beyond the most visible players before coming up with any short list of schools.
Table of contents
Why Other Schools
Like exploring movie options at a cinema, selecting a music school involves carefully considering the distinctive musical studies prevailing on each campus. It’s vital to assess whether you’re drawn to the grandeur and prestige of a conservatory, the innovative and experimental nature of alternative programs, or the diverse fusion of global music styles. Additionally, it’s crucial to determine whether you prefer an intense experience or a more well-rounded education that accommodates your other interests.
Here are specific reasons why a music student might consider the California colleges found in this article:
Focus and Fit
Specific programs: other schools might have niche programs that perfectly align with a student’s interests.
Smaller class sizes: Some students might prefer the personalized attention and supportive community found in music programs at other colleges.
Location and Lifestyle
Geographic preferences: Other students enjoy specific locations, like the beach or mountains, which might not be represented on the list.
Urban vs. rural: The schools on the best list are larger, urban universities, while some students seek the slower pace and closer-knit community of a smaller, rural college.
Proximity to other interests: students might also choose a college based on its proximity to other interests, like outdoor activities or cultural attractions, that are not directly related to music.
Other Factors
Faculty: Some students might be drawn to specific college professors or faculty members who are not on the list.
Specific ensembles or performance opportunities: Certain colleges might have ensembles or unique performance opportunities that attract students.
Scholarships and grants: Some colleges might offer attractive scholarships or grants that make them a more financially viable option.
Intangible factors: Ultimately, the”right” college is often a matter of personal preference and intangible factors like campus vibes, student culture, and overall fit.
More Top California Music Schools: Southern
San Diego State University
In Brief
The SDSU School of Music and Dance offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance, composition, and music education. The school is known for its strong emphasis on world music and dance.
Primary Areas of Study
- Composition & Technology
- Conducting
- Jazz Studies
- Music Education
- Music Entrepreneurship & Business
- Music Performance (various emphases)
- Music Recording Technology & Audio Design
- Professional Studies
Details
The School of Music and Dance upholds the university’s reputation for creative diversity and academic excellence. The school’s curricula fuse performance mastery with cultural immersion to produce artist-scholars equipped with global perspectives.
Undergraduate music students focus on Composition, Education, Performance, and the cutting-edge Global Composition program. Global Composition examines how cross-cultural songwriting and production can make a positive community impact. SDSU music students refined their talents within award-winning ensembles, including the Jazz Orchestra, Concert Band, and Pep Band.
The opportunity to learn from SDSU’s international scholars while thriving in Southern California’s vibrant border cultures ensures students graduate as empathetic musical ambassadors. Through artistic excellence paired with social consciousness, the SDSU School of Music and Dance also nurtures tomorrow’s change-making artists today.
Fit
Suits globally-minded students who are eager to blend musical excellence with cultural insight. SDSU builds empathetic musical ambassadors equipped to impact communities through world music ensembles, socially conscious composition programs, and dynamic performance groups. Immersed in California’s vibrant border cultures while learning from international scholars, students fuse their artistic talents with social awareness to create positive change.
University of California, Irvine
In Brief
The Claire Trevor School of the Arts at UC Irvine offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance, composition, and musicology. The school also provides a unique integrated composition program, combining music with other art forms.
Primary Areas of Study
- Composition
- Conducting
- Musicology & Ethnomusicology
- Music Education
- Music Performance (various emphases)
- Music Technology
Details
Focused on music scholarship and performance. Undergraduate students can pursue Bachelor of Arts degrees in Composition, Music Performance, or Musicology. Budding composers may also opt for the cutting-edge Integrated Composition program, synthesizing music with dance, theater, visual arts, and digital media disciplines.
The school oversees numerous elite ensembles, welcoming students across every major. Standout groups include the large Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Big Band, Concert Choir, and six chamber music groups. With special access to the university’s state-of-the-art venues and creative community, UCI music graduates launch abundantly into diverse entertainment careers and distinguished Ph.D. programs nationwide.
Many alums become highly sought-after composers and sound designers for prestigious theaters, dance troupes, orchestras, and visual arts organizations. Through cross-disciplinary projects produced during their UCI training, graduates emerge uniquely equipped to fuse music with myriad creative mediums.
University of California, San Diego
In Brief
In addition to offering a diverse curriculum covering a wide range of musical styles and traditions, UC San Diego also boasts state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that enable students to explore innovative music-making approaches, from computer-assisted composition and interactive performance to spatialized sound and immersive media.
Primary Areas of Study
- Composition
- Computer Music
- Integrative Studies (formerly Critical Studies/Experimental Practices)
- Music Performance (various emphases)
Details
UC San Diego’s Department of Music furnishes diverse music training steeped in academic rigor. Undergraduate students may pursue Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music, Composition, Integrative Music Studies, and Music Performance. The department stresses creativity through cross-disciplinary collaboration, critical thinking skills, and immersive musical experiences.
UC San Diego Music students have access to high-caliber recital halls, and studios outfitted with superior acoustics and audio-visual technology. Many undergraduates perform with elite ensembles, such as the UC San Diego Chamber Orchestra and UC San Diego Jazz Ensemble, under the guidance of internationally recognized faculty. The department also integrates courses in computer music composition, leveraging UC San Diego’s excellence in tech and engineering.
Graduate students seeking advanced musical training and scholarship may pursue Master’s or PhD degrees in Composition, Integrative Studies, or Performance. UC San Diego music graduates secure careers as professional performers, composers, academics, and sound engineers. They advance music at organizations ranging from major symphonies to tech startups inventing new digital audio tools.
Fit
Best for students interested in experimental music, music technology, and contemporary composition.
More Top California Music Schools: Northern
California State University, East Bay
In Brief
The CSUEB Department of Music offers undergraduate music performance, composition, and music education degrees. The school also offers a unique program in music and technology, which explores the intersection of music and technology.
Primary Areas of Study
- Composition
- Conducting
- Jazz Studies
- Music Education
- Music Performance (various emphases)
- Music Theory and Composition
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- World Music
Details
The Department of Music empowers tomorrow’s creative vanguards through cutting-edge programs fusing performance excellence with technological fluency. As society grows increasingly digitized, the department believes musical artists must utilize emergent tools to craft bold new sonic landscapes.
The pathbreaking Music and Technology program enables undergraduates to blend composition training with audio production, film scoring, and music synthesis application design courses. Students seeking more traditional routes can pursue self-designed Bachelor’s Degrees focused on Music Education, Ethnomusicology, or Performance.
Training within the cultural mosaic of the San Francisco Bay Area, the Department of Music produces versatile graduates who pursue advanced degrees and abundantly creative careers. Alumni excel as music technologists, audio engineers, media composers, educators, and avant-garde performers.
Fit
Ideal for students interested in multicultural music education and diverse music programs.
San Francisco State University
In Brief
The SFSU School of Music offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance, composition, and music education. The school is known for its strong emphasis on social justice and community engagement.
Primary Areas of Study
Choral Performance
- Composition (including Game Scoring & Film Scoring)
- Electronic Music
- Ethnomusicology
- Jazz Studies
- Music Education
- Music History
- Music Performance (various emphases)
Details
The pioneering School of Music strives to build a just, equitable society through the power of artistic expression and community collaboration. The school offers comprehensive Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees combining technical excellence and social consciousness.
Undergraduates can pursue self-designed degrees integrating musical training with studies in ethnic arts and social justice. Students refine their talents in SFSU’s diverse ensembles while directly engaging San Francisco’s vibrant cultural landscape. The Community Music and Dance Program enables students to team-teach youth classes rooted in inclusion and creative empowerment.
With artistry interwoven with activism, SFSU music graduates become visionary educators, scholars, and performers who lead positive change within arts institutions and communities nationwide. The school prepares students not just for musical success – but to inspire social transformation through artistic innovation.
Fit
Best for students interested in contemporary music, music education, and musicology, with opportunities for diverse musical exploration.
San José State University
In Brief
The SJSU School of Music offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance, composition, jazz studies, and music education. The school is known for its strong emphasis on music education, social justice, and ensemble excellence.
Primary Areas of Study
- Composition
- Conducting
- Jazz Studies
- Music Education
- Music Performance (various emphases)
- Music Technology
- Musicology
Details
The School of Music champions artistic excellence through diversity. As Silicon Valley’s premier arts institution, the school upholds SJSU’s tradition of social justice by nurturing artists who reflect the pulse of contemporary society.
Undergraduates can pursue Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education, Music Industry Studies, Composition, Jazz Studies, and Performance. Training with expert faculty alongside international guest artists, students refine their technique in ensembles like the Choraliers, Jazz Orchestra, Mariachi, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and many others.
Through immersive world music training paired with abundant creative opportunities, the School of Music produces graduates who thrive as educator-artists and leaders upholding music’s ability to spur positive community impact. Alumni take up posts at influential arts organizations while others form their own ensembles fusing global genres and championing cultural diversity through the universal language of music. The School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
Fit
Serves students seeking a broad range of music programs focusing on performance and music education.
Sonoma State University
In Brief
The SSU Department of Music offers undergraduate music performance, composition, and music education degrees. The school is known for its strong emphasis on community engagement and service.
Primary Areas of Study
- Composition
- Jazz Studies
- Music Education
- Music Performance (various emphases)
Details
Nestled in California’s wine country, Sonoma State University’s Music Department crafts dynamic programs upholding the university’s spirit of creativity and community service. The department aims to produce versatile graduates who uplift others through transformative musical experiences.
Undergraduates can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music focused on composition, music education, musicology, or performance. All students receive immersive training from distinguished faculty where they perform in Sonoma State’s elite vocal and instrumental ensembles. The department stresses hands-on, creative collaboration through frequent concerts, recitals, and workshops.
Music education students gain practical student teaching experience in local Santa Rosa schools and arts organizations. The department also oversees adult continuing education programs like the Sonoma Bach Choir and the annual Jazz Camp. Through diverse community engagement and intimate mentorship, the SSU Music Department produces fulfilling musical careers that radiate the department’s spirit of creative betterment across the North Bay region.
Fit
Great for students interested in music education and community music involvement.
More Top California Music Schools: Central
California State University, Chico
In Brief
Motivates positive change in the North State community through transcendent performance and arts advocacy. Undergraduates can pursue music degrees while refining their talents in ensembles and engaging in community outreach initiatives across rural Northern California.
Primary Areas of Study
- Composition
- Conducting
- General Music
- Jazz Studies
- Music Education
- Music Industry
- Music Performance (various emphases)
- Recording Arts
Details
California State University, Chico’s Department of Music strives to motivate positive change in the North State community through transcendent performance and arts advocacy. The department stresses that music builds cultural bridges and empowers citizens to uplift society.
Undergraduates can pursue Bachelor of Arts degrees focused on music education, music industry, composition, ethnomusicology, and performance. Students hone technical excellence in CSUC’s elite Symphony Orchestra and jazz combos while volunteering through programs like the Chico Community Concert Band.
The Music Education concentration features hands-on student-teaching placements at schools across Butte County. Dynamic faculty also lead initiatives expanding access to dance, theater, and music within rural Northern California towns. Through service immersion and community leadership, the CSUC Music Department produces graduates committed to strengthening local arts appreciation and policy.
With creativity and compassion at the core of its mission, the Department of Music nurtures tomorrow’s generation of artist-activists today. Alumni advocate for the arts within state legislatures, local non-profits, and K-12 schools while motivating social progress through artistic innovation.
Fit
Best for students focusing on music education and community involvement.
California State University, Fresno
In Brief
Enriches and empowers the diverse communities of the Central Valley through artistic engagement and music advocacy, believing in arts education as a force for social uplift.
Primary Areas of Study
- Composition
- Conducting
- Ethnomusicology
- Jazz Studies
- Music Education
- Music History and Literature
- Music Industry Studies
- Music Performance (various emphases)
- Music Theory
- Musicology
- Technology and Composition
Details
The CSUF Department of Music Strives to uplift the diverse Central Valley community through artistic outreach. stresses using music’s boundless potential for social betterment across the region.
Undergraduates can pursue Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Education, Music Industry, Composition, Ethnomusicology, and Music Performance. Training with distinguished faculty, students refine their talents in award-winning ensembles like the Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, and Jazz Orchestra.
Immersed in cultural celebration, the Department of Music produces graduates who utilize musical mastery to unite, empower, and enrich the San Joaquin Valley’s diverse populations. Alumni become cherished teachers, arts administrators, and community leaders who motivate social progress through music’s universal language.
Fit
Ideal for students looking for comprehensive music programs focusing on music education and performance.
California State University, Sacramento
In Brief
Provides undergraduate and graduate music performance, composition, and music education degrees. The school also offers a unique program in jazz studies, which explores the history and culture of jazz music.
Primary Areas of Study
- Composition
- Conducting
- Jazz Studies (performance or education emphasis)
- Music Education
- Music Performance (various emphases)
- Music Theory/Composition
Details
Musical innovation thrives within the cutting-edge School of Music. Students refine artistry through diverse degree programs fusing classical training with contemporary styles, including jazz and digital media.
Undergraduates can pursue self-designed Bachelor’s Degrees in composition, music cducation and performance. For aspiring jazz artists, the Exceptional Jazz Performance program unpacks America’s seminal genre via mentoring from award-winning composers and instrumentalists. Students also access state-of-the-art recording studios and Sacramento’s bustling jazz scene.
With elite training and commitment to community service, the School of Music produces versatile graduates who advance California’s artistic legacy. Alumni become distinguished recording artists, composers, educators, and arts leaders, spreading creativity from the state capital worldwide.
Fit
Serves students looking for a strong focus on choral and vocal performance and music education.
Conclusion
California is home to exceptional music institutions that go beyond the heavy hitters. Schools such as San Diego State, UC Irvine, and San Jose State deserve your attention for their faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, diverse performing groups, and connections to the entertainment industry. These colleges stand as more top California Music Schools, offering top-notch training at affordable prices and producing accomplished graduates across various musical disciplines.
The musical scene in California offers an array of options at renowned public institutions and hidden gems, ready to nurture each student’s unique talents and aspirations. Beyond focusing on the big-name schools, prospective undergraduates should explore the full spectrum of programs available to find their ideal college match.
FAQ
What makes these California music programs stand out?
They have accomplished faculty, cutting-edge facilities and equipment for music students, diverse performing groups and recital opportunities, as well as connections to launch entertainment industry careers.
What are some niche music study options at these other schools?
You’ll find niche programs like Global Composition (SDSU), Integrated Composition (UCI), Music Recording Technology (CSU Chico), and Exceptional Jazz Studies (CSU Sacramento)
Do all these schools offer bachelor’s degrees in music?
The majority offer Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Music options with concentrations in composition, performance, musicology, education and more.
Is graduate study available as well?
Some have graduate programs, especially research-focused paths like musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory.
Can I participate in elite music ensembles at schools not known for music?
Schools like Sonoma State, CSU East Bay, and San Jose State have award-winning instrumental groups, choirs, jazz bands, and other ensembles open to student musicians.
Doctor Fish Says
Need help figuring out what’s the best music school for you? I’ve helped college-bound musicians win acceptance at top music schools in California and beyond. The College Music Major team and I can help you, too. Here are the services we offer. Let’s connect!
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About the Author
Dr. David Lee Fish
Dr. David Lee Fish, Ph.D. is the founder of College Music Major. A veteran figure in music and education whose extensive career spans decades, he's known for his unique approach to music and for sharing his passion with others. His expertise ranges from performance and songwriting to education and private consulting.