1
Harvard University
MA · Acceptance Rate: 3%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 21,000
Tuition: $62,250
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Top 20 Colleges for Music and Arts Culture
Colleges with the most vibrant music, arts, and cultural scene.
How we ranked these schools
Schools offering performing arts programs are scored on conservatory status, study abroad availability, institutional size, and academic quality. Larger schools in cultural centers tend to offer the richest arts scenes. Rankings are curated based on widely recognized lists from Princeton Review and Niche, combined with My School List editorial judgment. For informational purposes only.
2
Columbia University
NY · Acceptance Rate: 4%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 23,000
Tuition: $65,524
3
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Acceptance Rate: 6%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 22,000
Tuition: $63,452
4
Duke University
NC · Acceptance Rate: 7%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 16,000
Tuition: $63,054
5
MIT
MA · Acceptance Rate: 4%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 4,600
Tuition: $61,990
6
Johns Hopkins University
MD · Acceptance Rate: 8%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 17,000
Tuition: $60,480
7
Northwestern University
IL · Acceptance Rate: 7%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 22,000
Tuition: $63,468
8
University of Chicago
IL · Acceptance Rate: 5%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 7,500
Tuition: $64,260
9
Yale University
CT · Acceptance Rate: 5%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 6,500
Tuition: $64,700
10
Princeton University
NJ · Acceptance Rate: 4%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 5,600
Tuition: $59,710
11
Stanford University
CA · Acceptance Rate: 4%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 8,100
Tuition: $61,731
12
Cornell University
NY · Acceptance Rate: 9%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 15,000
Tuition: $63,200
13
Harvey Mudd College
CA · Acceptance Rate: 13%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 900
Tuition: $63,468
14
Brown University
RI · Acceptance Rate: 5%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 7,200
Tuition: $65,146
15
Dartmouth College
NH · Acceptance Rate: 6%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 4,500
Tuition: $63,399
16
Vanderbilt University
TN · Acceptance Rate: 6%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 7,100
Tuition: $62,194
17
Rice University
TX · Acceptance Rate: 9%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 4,500
Tuition: $56,874
18
Washington University in St. Louis
MO · Acceptance Rate: 12%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 8,000
Tuition: $61,750
19
Carnegie Mellon University
PA · Acceptance Rate: 12%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 7,400
Tuition: $62,260
20
Amherst College
MA · Acceptance Rate: 9%
Type: University
Performing Arts: Yes
Enrollment: 1,900
Tuition: $66,080
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