2024 Best Colleges for Music in California

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  4,049 reviews

Junior: I absolutely love the University of Southern California! Besides the amazing weather, USC is a diverse and supportive environment with tons of school spirit. With so many schools and majors to choose from, academically, you are surrounded by so many talented and intelligent students with various aspirations. I appreciate that USC encourages interdisciplinary studies. As a joint major between the Marshall School of Business and School of Cinematic Arts, I've met likeminded individuals and have got plenty of opportunities to be involved in relevant organizations and get support on internships and my career. The Trojan Network is real.... Read 4,049 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 12%

• Net price $36,808

• SAT range 1450-1550

• San Francisco, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  86 reviews

Alum: I loved the faculty at SFCM as well as the various performing opportunities there. I also liked that all the curriculum was structured around music. I wish that there weren't as many conflicts between performing classes and ore academic required courses as it was difficult to work around. I also wished that the mandatory dining plan was optional for off campus students.... Read 86 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 43%

• Net price $45,726

• SAT range —

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  5,589 reviews

Alum: As with any college, the experience is what you make of it. UCLA just presents a lot of diversity in terms of the experiences that you can have. You can get your party fix in on Thursdays at frat row, kickbacks through cultural or professional organizations, or even a warehouse rave in the Arts District. Academically, there are plenty of opportunities for research and internships. It can be difficult to get into certain classes until you are in your 3rd or 4th year, though. Living on campus is really helpful for finding friends and the food is definitely a blow-out compared to other schools I've visited. Only downside is that housing in general is expensive due to the area, so you'll likely be sharing a room and living on a budget!... Read 5,589 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $16,999

• SAT range —

• Valencia, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  289 reviews

Freshman: Enrollment has been great, admissions office has been super helpful. Amazing experience so far! The courses are condensed and they offer certifications!... Read 289 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 25%

• Net price $55,225

• SAT range —

• Pasadena, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  32 reviews

Works Here: I love working here and seeing the students grow in skill and confidence. I hope to be able to continue to work here for many years to come!... Read 32 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 83%

• Net price $39,700

• SAT range —

• Hollywood, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  88 reviews

Other: It's a great learning environment where musicians can grow and have successful networking opportunities.... Read 88 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 78%

• Net price $36,976

• SAT range —

• La Mirada, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  2,321 reviews

Alum: The last four years that I have spent at Biola were transformational, and I am so grateful for my time at the university. As an English major, I was challenged both academically and spiritually. Each of my professors within the English department was intentional in supporting my growth, taking the time to know me as a student and as an individual. In addition to my studies in English, Biola also enabled me to graduate with my Secondary Education teaching credential and minors in Psychology and Bible. My experience with these diverse fields has prepared me well to serve adolescents as a middle school English teacher this fall! The community at Biola is welcoming, genuine, and passionate about following Jesus. For Biolans, faith is not an afterthought or something to be explored in Bible classes, but rather a vibrant walk with Christ that spills over into our learning, our conversations, and our relationships. I can't say enough good about Biola University. Come and see for yourself!... Read 2,321 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 57%

• Net price $31,522

• SAT range 1080-1320

• Irvine, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  4,279 reviews

Senior: I enjoyed by UCI experience. I liked how diverse the campus was and the proximity of good study spots such as local cafes and the beach for when I needed to take study breaks. I also liked that it is close to home, since I do live in Irvine. The academics challenged me but also gave me room for relaxing so that the classes were not too overwhelming. There was a mix of rigorous courses and fun electives, which made for a well-rounded education and time for research opportunities and joining club organizations. I would like to see more parking on-campus, since it was often hard to find parking close to my courses. I would also like to see more scholarship opportunities advertised through the university email, since I know many people (including myself) have trouble affording a college education. I would have also liked to have more one-on-one counseling guidance, since we are not assigned a specific counselor to check in with at UCI. This would have helped me prepare for grad school.... Read 4,279 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 21%

• Net price $14,033

• SAT range —

• Stockton, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  1,338 reviews

Alum: For me it was a great experience, loved the faculty, it was great place for to go to school. The party scene is there if you want it, but not overwhelming. The school Business School, Engineering, Computer Science, Health Science Schools can be very challenging. I earned a Bachelors of Science in Business and Public Administration (Marketing). Upon completion I was very prepared for an advance degree or a career. I’d say the negative reviews come from those who fail. Those who succeed have good things to say. The key note speaker for my B School class got kicked out 2 times and was asked not to return. One Friday he parked a 18 wheeler in front of admissions, Fred said “I’m not moving until you gave me another chance”. He made them hold an emergency meeting. No body could party harder than Fred. I saw Fred many Saturday & Sunday nights going back to the library after dinner, he told me, I’m going to do it! I’m going to finish, he did, the staff loved him in the end!... Read 1,338 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 93%

• Net price $28,164

• SAT range 1120-1380

• Orange, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  2,295 reviews

Freshman: Chapman University provides an extremely unique experience for its students, one that juxtaposes an educational and diverse atmosphere magnificently. The campus, being small in size, replicates an accepting community filled with people who want to meet others and further their education. Every student here dreams big and is pushed by their professors to unleash their full potential. Although friendly, each student is driven, with failure not being an option. I have been lucky enough to meet these kinds of students and build strong bonds where I feel comfortable. The Chapman community is extremely close to one another and wishes nothing but the best for everyone who attends. I especially adore the professors, who always remind me to apply myself to my studies and treat the class with utmost respect and fairness. There are no favorites, with the teaching ethic being a positive as well. The location is also a huge plus, displaying many great food options and places that hold events.... Read 2,295 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 73%

• Net price $45,033

• SAT range 1200-1400

• Long Beach, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  4,896 reviews

Alum: I really enjoyed my overall experience as an undergraduate psychology student at CSULB. The pros are greatly that psychology students have their own well-designed program and building, incentivizing psychology students to make use of their uniquely cultivated environment and resources. Overall the professors are good, with the occasional one or two you just needed to bear. For the most part, I had a fantastic time. Loved the bar on campus, food was great, aside from the fact that the campus is MASSIVE and ye be dying a bit from class to class it's a great school. I applied to CSULB for graduate school and was ultimately rejected, which was beyond frustrating considering I graduated Magna Cum Laude and did very well there. But I get it, there are never any guarantees. And still, I got into an impeccable graduate program at Fordham in NYC because of the undergraduate education I did acquire. I walked the lawn of CSULB, so I could run through castle-like halls at Fordham!... Read 4,896 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 40%

• Net price $9,346

• SAT range —

• San Diego, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  5,428 reviews

Alum: I had the unique experience of transferring to San Diego State University during the pandemic. My junior year was fully online so I didn't get to experience campus life or get a feel for the community the school has built, as it's very hard to make connections with a lot of people through a screen. The professors were all very understanding and accommodating. In my time here I learned a lot of valuable information from professors who are well spoken and knowledgable. It never felt like the coursework I was given was just busywork, but applicable to what my career goal was. My senior year I did partially online and on campus, but at this point I just wanted to be finished. I wish I had given campus life a bigger chance that way I could've made connections with other people, but unfortunately I didn't get to experience that side of SDSU. However, I can attest that their academics were and still are very valuable to me!... Read 5,428 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 39%

• Net price $13,017

• SAT range —

• Santa Barbara, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  4,732 reviews

Alum: My overall experience at UCSB was formative. I entered as a freshman during Covid-19 in the fall of 2020. It was a difficult year, especially because I was not able to finish my senior year of high school. We began our first quarter online, which was a hard transition. I found the teachers to be a big unforgiving in regards to the pandemic, however I pushed through to keep up the good grades I had in high school. Once we returned back to in-person, I absolutely loved it. The professors were informative and they really seemed to care about their students. One of my favorite parts about UCSB was the research aspect. I worked as a research assistant under three different professors during the last two years of my undergraduate studies. I learned the most valuable information that I will now take with me to graduate school at UCSD.... Read 4,732 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 26%

• Net price $16,874

• SAT range —

• Hollywood, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  430 reviews

Freshman: I liked the lobby of the Los Angeles Film School, and I liked all of my classes. The teachers are very friendly, and professional. I liked meeting new people, and learning new things about screenwriting.... Read 430 reviews

• grade C minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $33,452

• SAT range —

• Redlands, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  934 reviews

Freshman: Overall, I am quite pleased with my experience here. I had the opportunity to participate in the Summer Bridge Program, which allowed me to spend a week at the college before the academic year began. During this time, I had the chance to experience college life firsthand, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made. The program made me feel welcomed and helped me to establish connections. By the time the school year started, I already knew people and felt comfortable. We spent a lot of time together, eating meals and hanging out, which helped ease any nerves I might have had otherwise. If it weren't for the Summer Bridge Program, I believe my experience would have been quite different, and I might have felt even more nervous coming into the school. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the program and for the positive impact it had on my college transition.... Read 934 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 82%

• Net price $28,157

• SAT range 1130-1280

• Riverside, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  2,907 reviews

Alum: I genuinely loved my experience at CBU. They are not perfect, no college is, but I found that your experience is what you make of it. I attended a bunch of the student events and really enjoyed my time. I lived on-campus and had a good experience. Things were fixed when they needed to be and as student living goes, the apartments and houses were in great condition and clean. If you have issues with roommates the RA's will do their best to help resolve the issue or move you to a better situation. The professors I had were amazing - friendly and helpful. They truly made my time there productive and positive. The food options on campus are top-tier and the basic food plan was more than enough. The campus is smaller than the typical college campus so it was easy and quick to get to most of your classes. Parking was really bad when I attended but they have made moves to improve that since I graduated. Campus security can be strict but I appreciated that as I often felt safe.... Read 2,907 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 80%

• Net price $27,304

• SAT range —

• San Diego, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  1,053 reviews

Sophomore: I love Point Loma Nazarene University! This school is the perfect size for people like me who want to feel settled and known and loved in their community. I love that I am able to be familiar with almost everyone who attents my school, and certainly with everyone in my year. Point Loma is beautiful, I adore the faith-based aspects of it, like chapel and spiritual renewal week:) I love this school and could not speak higher of it.... Read 1,053 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 82%

• Net price $34,933

• SAT range —

• Fullerton, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  5,327 reviews

Alum: I loved my time at Cal State Fullerton. I met my now husband and some of my best friends there. Campus life was great. Always something to do. Sports events and rec center were a highlight. There were concerts and art shows and academic events available to everyone. It seemed like there was something for everyone. Their student health center was convenient and helpful. The town and surrounding towns gave easy access to good food, good shopping, and fun activities!... Read 5,327 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 67%

• Net price $7,925

• SAT range —

• San Francisco, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  2,497 reviews

Senior: Personally, I'm loving being a student at AAU! I am a full time student taking classes entirely online, which has been a life saver for me. With my remote location and anxiety struggles, there's no way I would have been able to attend any school in person, and Academy of Art is one of the very few colleges that offer an art degree online. This alone was a huge selling point for me when deciding what I wanted to do with me future. I knew I needed an "in between" step from graduating highschool to entering into the industry, and taking classes here has accomplished that 100%--the classes are accessible for complete beginners in the field, and the pacing of each week is just enough to push you without breaking you. I've had only great interactions with the instructors, and they have been a vital part in improving my drawing skills. The homework usually gives us a ton of creative freedom.... Read 2,497 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $35,616

• SAT range —

• Santa Cruz, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.55 out of 5  4,054 reviews

Freshman: UC Santa Cruz has provided many opportunities and a life long experience that I wouldn't change for anything. The only thing concerning about this University is that priority housing is only mandatory for freshman, however you can still apply second year for a dorm or on campus apartment in which is a lottery system and completely random. Other then the limited availability on housing for second year and continuing students the campus overall is something I would not trade for anything. The campus life is amazing as you meet many students from all walks of life and the level of respect many of the students have for one another makes it a very comfortable and enjoyable place to attend. In addition the campus has many resources that can help in terms or aid to pay for college are even help you academically. In addition to all the resources the campus has to offer UC Santa Cruz is located near the coast so there are numerous beaches and local shops that are fun to explore and go to!... Read 4,054 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 47%

• Net price $17,975

• SAT range —

• Thousand Oaks, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  1,188 reviews

Junior: In my three years being enrolled here at California Lutheran University, I have had an amazing opportunity to be a first-generation student. Not only am I making my parents proud, but I am also setting an example for my sisters and my nephew. As I get closer to the day I walk across that stage, it's unbelievable to me how fast time has passed by. I have always appreciated the smaller sized classes here as I feel like the professors genuinely care about student improvement and can actually get to know us all. I think it's important that we're actually treated like students rather than a number with grading needed. I also appreciate how safe the campus is seeing as campus safety is available 24/7 whether it's general needs or emergency needs. Living on campus these past three years has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of new people outside of our classes. The residential assistants here also are nice and genuinely take their job of being here for us all seriously. Cal Lu is great!... Read 1,188 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 87%

• Net price $30,416

• SAT range 1150-1320

• Irvine, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  704 reviews

Junior: I liked the location and the people. About 75% of the school is athletes, so we can all relate to one another. Being at a small school allows me to build connections with all staff members on a more personal level and build long-lasting friendships with my peers.... Read 704 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 69%

• Net price $29,508

• SAT range —

• Northridge, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  5,094 reviews

Senior: A lot of student events like fairs, night markets, halloween parties etc to allow students to have fun. They allow mini concerts for students to perform, crunch time for finals, small events throughout the semester where students can come by, make art, and have free food. They offer a farmers market on tuesdays with a lot of vendors and food trucks available. Heavily encourage student mental health. Very diverse in terms of race and in terms of identity and orientation. An amazing health care clinic on campus that is free/included in tuition. They offer free printing in multiple places. They have a center to get massages and sleep. They have a school gym that even has a rock climbing wall and a dance studio that students can freely practice in. They offer the ability for students to rent out iPads, laptops, hotspots etc that we can keep throughout the semesters. Downsides: we still have to pay for parking despite the increasing tuition. Keep bad professors on tenure despite complaints.... Read 5,094 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 91%

• Net price $8,936

• SAT range —

• Sacramento, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  3,936 reviews

Alum: I loved attending California State University, Sacramento! I found that the campus was so relaxing and beautiful between classes, students were driven and liked working together, professors were helpful, and the tuition was fair for the eduction I received. It was a great commuter campus as well as a great campus for students who lived nearby or on campus. I had great experiences with all of the students and the professors made a significant impact on my life! I highly recommend Sac State! Stingers up!... Read 3,936 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 93%

• Net price $11,596

• SAT range —

• San Jose, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  4,372 reviews

Graduate Student: The School of Information has many classes that are real gems: fantastic classmates, engaging professors, stimulating and relevant curriculum. Read online reviews and talk to fellow students if you are on the fence about a specific class. The time will fly by so make sure to make the most of every unit!... Read 4,372 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 77%

• Net price $14,219

• SAT range —