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School of Music • University Park, Pennsylvania
Quick Take
Penn State's School of Music offers comprehensive classical, jazz, opera, and music therapy in performance and education with strong Big Ten resources and merit scholarships in State College, PA. The school's size and institutional resources support professional-level opera productions, major ensembles, and doctoral programs, while maintaining strong undergraduate training and a vibrant campus music culture in central Pennsylvania.
Penn State at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | Pennsylvania State University School of Music |
| Setting | public |
| Religious Affiliation | none |
| Program Size | medium |
| Genres / Styles | choral, classical, contemporary, folk, jazz, opera, world |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | composition, conducting, jazz, music education, music theory, music therapy, musical theatre, opera, performance |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Doctorate, Master’s |
| Musical Selectivity | selective |
| NASM Accreditation | Yes |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | moderately selective |
| Average GPA | 3.6 |
| Application Deadline | Nov 1 (EA) | Jan 15 (regular) |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | competitive |
| Audition Window | Jan–Feb |
| Prescreening | is required |
| Location | |
| City / State | University Park, Pennsylvania |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the Penn State website
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Program Overview
The music program at Penn State is medium in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
Penn State supports the following musical genres/styles: choral, classical, contemporary, folk, jazz, opera, world. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the Penn State website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at Penn State can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the Penn State website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at Penn State
Students at Penn State can pursue degrees focused on composition, conducting, jazz, music education, music theory, music therapy, musical theatre, opera, performance. Music degree programs typically combine private instruction, ensemble participation, music theory coursework, and performance opportunities designed to prepare students for careers in music.
Visit the Penn State website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at Penn State is selective. Academically, it is moderately selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.6. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for Penn State is Nov 1 (EA) | Jan 15 (regular) of each year.
Visit the Penn State website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at Penn State, and the school's auditions are considered to be competitive. The audition window is Jan–Feb of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is required.
Visit the Penn State website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
Penn State is in State College, the quintessential Big Ten college town deep in central Pennsylvania, where the university IS the cultural life and the Centre Stage series brings major artists to campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Penn State hard to get into?
Admission to Penn State is considered selective for music and moderately selective academically. At most schools, the audition carries significant weight. Admitted students need to demonstrate performance ability and artistic potential in addition to meeting academic requirements.
Do I need a prescreening video to audition at Penn State?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at Penn State.
Prescreening requirements vary significantly from school to school, and sometimes by instrument or area of study, so it's worth checking directly with the admissions office to confirm what's expected for your specific application.
What instruments can I study at Penn State?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students typically study privately with a faculty member on their primary instrument while also participating in ensembles and collaborative performance opportunities.
Instrument availability and faculty depth can vary. If you play something less common, it's worth reaching out to the department directly to confirm faculty availability before you apply.
What GPA do I need for Penn State?
Admitted students at Penn State have an average GPA of 3.6. Keep in mind that this is an average. Some admitted students come in above it, some below, depending on the strength of the overall application and, especially, the audition.
Music programs tend to weigh audition performance heavily, which means a particularly strong musical candidate may be admitted even if their GPA is below the typical range. The reverse is also true. Academic strength alone won't compensate for a weak audition.
What is the application deadline for Penn State?
The application deadline for Penn State is Nov 1 (EA) | Jan 15 (regular), with live auditions typically held Jan–Feb. These dates can shift year to year, so it's important to verify directly with the admissions office well in advance.
Music school deadlines often arrive earlier than general college application deadlines, and audition slots can fill up quickly, especially at competitive programs. Getting your application in early is rarely a bad idea.
Information on this page is updated periodically. Always confirm details directly with the school's admissions office.
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